pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued Arsenal as they fought back from behind twice to seal a 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.
John McGinn put Villa a goal ahead before Ainsley Maitland-Niles was sent off in a poor first half for the hosts.
Nicolas Pepe scored his first goal for Arsenal to level things up from the penalty spot on the hour, but Welsey put Villa back in front a minute later.
With time running out for 10-man Gunners, Calum Chambers equalised with nine minutes on the clock before Aubameyang struck a superb free-kick three minutes later to seal a vital three points for the Gunners.
The opening goal at Arsenal came from McGinn, the Scot latching on to El Ghazi’s cross and converting. Arsenal suffered a further setback shortly before half-time as Maitland-Niles was sent off for crashing into Neil Taylor and earning a second yellow card.
The Gunners departed to boos at half-time, but were handed a lifeline just before the hour when Bjorn Engels fouled Matteo Guendouzi in the box.
Pepe stepped up to stick away the resulting penalty, but the Gunners’ joy was short-lived as Villa immediately restored their lead through Wesley, the Brazilian sweeping in a Jack Grealish pass.
However, Arsenal were not to be denied as Chambers pulled the hosts level after good work from Guendouzi before Aubameyang’s set-piece sealed the victory.
