'Tension beyond the walls' - National media react as Unai Emery does Arsenal title favour

Arsenal supporters will have been nervously watching on as Aston Villa and Liverpool went head-top-head on Monday evening.

The Gunners, requiring a Liverpool win to give Tottenham Hotspur the motivation to keep their Champions League hopes alive this evening were left frustrated as Jurgen Klopp's side threw away a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3.

This result has ensured Spurs must win each of their final two matches to finish in the top four, placing the pressure on Ange Postecoglou's side to deliver in their crunch fixture against Pep Guardiola's side.

A Liverpool win would have been the perfect result for Arsenal, though a draw is by no means a disaster as Mikel Arteta's men hold out for a miracle.

Reacting to last night's events at Villa Park were the national media, who have debated how this scoreline will have been viewed by the Gunners.

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'There is no dilemma for anyone with Spurs' interest at heart now'

Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph wrote:

"As the nine minutes of added time was announced at Villa Park, the tension was palpable.

"Not from the Aston Villa fans, who having come back from 3-1 down sensed an opportunity to grab the victory which would secure Champions League football.

"Not from the visiting Liverpool supporters, who were as demob happy as their manager and those away players who came to Birmingham to have a bit of fun with the ball while making it optional to show the necessary application necessary to win it back.

"All the nervous anxiety was being transmitted from 100 miles away in North London as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur supporters found themselves in the peculiar position of being on common ground, fearing a late Villa winner.

"For Mikel Arteta, there was the possibility of witnessing the final de-motivation for his neighbours before they face Manchester City on Tuesday night. Jurgen Klopp had once circled this fixture as having consequences for the title race. He had not anticipated such an indirect influence as Liverpool’s draw potentially kept Arsenal’s fading hopes intact.

"There is no dilemma for anyone with Spurs’ interest at heart now. The idea that their proud captain, Son Heung-Min, will not stretch every sinew to be part of the European elite again is an insult."

'Tension beyond the walls of Villa Park'

Charlotte Duncker of The Times wrote:

"Villa thought they had an instant response through Watkins, but VAR ruled it out for offside, before the England international tried to backheel another chance seconds later. The Villa forwards had started arguing between themselves as tensions ran high as the VARs assessed the decisions.

"And the tension went beyond the walls of Villa Park, with Arsenal and Manchester City supporters having an invested eye on the game with, the title race so tight. Calum Chambers pounced on a mistake from Alexis Mac Allister and Durán fired into the bottom corner with five minutes left to play. A clinical finish from the substitute and Villa Park was re-energised — they couldn’t do it, could they?

"But a point here felt like a victory and a win for City against Spurs would secure Villa’s fourth spot. It’s not the way they wanted to do it; they wanted the party with their fans but they would take it. So, Villa are on the brink of the European elite once again."

'They will do no such thing'

Felix Keith of The Mirror wrote:

"There has been a lot of talk over the past few days about Tottenham's match against Manchester City on Tuesday night and whether the home side might roll over to prevent Arsenal from winning the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years. Well, this result backs up Ange Postecoglou's contention that they will do no such thing.

"Plenty of Spurs fans on social media would rather their side lost, so as to help City on their way to a sixth title in seven years. But Villa's draw means they definitely do have something to play for, because they are five points behind with a game in hand. If they beat City, they will play into Arsenal's hands, but also give themselves a good chance of playing in the Champions League next season.

"If Spurs make it six straight home wins over City in the Premier League then Villa will need to win their final game of the season, away to in-form Crystal Palace, to make sure of fourth place."