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Arsenal players after conceding a goal against Aston Villa. Alamy Stock Photo

Arsenal's title bid takes a hit after squandering two-goal lead in Aston Villa draw

Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins were on target for Aston Villa who ensured a share of the spoils.

ARSENALโ€™S PREMIER LEAGUE title bid was dealt a hammer blow after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa at the Emirates.

Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal ahead in the first half before Kai Havertz doubled the home sideโ€™s advantage 10 minutes after the interval.

But Villa responded just four minutes later through Youri Tielemans, with Ollie Watkins grabbing an equaliser for the visitors.

A shell-shocked Arsenal went in search of a winner following Watkinsโ€™ 68th-minute strike, and Havertz thought he had found it when he turned in Mikel Merinoโ€™s shot with three minutes remaining.

But Havertz was adjudged to have used his arm as he turned the ball in, and VAR ruled out his goal.

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery engineered a 2-0 win for Aston Villa here in April which effectively ended the Gunnersโ€™ championship challenge.

And the Spaniard came back to haunt his old club again with a comeback draw which leaves Arsenal on the back foot and six points behind Liverpool following their late win at Brentford.

Arsenal have also been rocked by another high-profile injury โ€“ this time to defender William Saliba โ€“ with the defender ruled out of Saturdayโ€™s fixture.

Villa were unable to get a foothold early on in the match, but the visitors rode the initial storm and it was Emeryโ€™s men with the first shot on target as Ian Maatsenโ€™s effort was punched clear by David Raya.

Five minutes later and the hosts tested Emiliano Martinez for the first time, with Leandro Trossard stinging the hands of the Argentina international.

Mikel Arteta, and the man he replaced in the Arsenal hotseat, then clashed on the touchline, with Emery urging his compatriot to return to his technical area after the former remonstrated a throw-in.

Arteta was booked for his protest, but the breakthrough for his side arrived with 10 minutes of the first half left.

Trossard found space on the left-hand side before fizzing a cross across the six-yard box. Martinelli caught Maatsen napping to take his team-mateโ€™s pass on the volley.

Martinez saved at point-blank range, but the ball drifted over the line before the Villa stopper could claw it away again with his left glove.

Referee Chris Kavanagh looked at his watch, which indicated it was a goal, with a jubilant Martinelli celebrating his seventh strike of the season.

Replays showed it was the correct decision, and moments later, Arsenal might have doubled their advantage only for Trossard to blaze over.

Arsenal remained largely in control of the fixture at the start of the second half, while knowing that they needed another goal to afford them some daylight.

And Havertz thought he had delivered it with 55 minutes gone. Havertzโ€™s missed spot-kick sent Arsenal crashing out of the FA Cup here last Sunday, and this was a much-needed goal for the German.

Trossard was the provider again with Havertz volleying home the Belgianโ€™s cross. Arsenal supporters were still singing Havertzโ€™s name when Villa nicked a goal.

Tielemans stole a yard on Merino and his diving header from Lucas Digneโ€™s cross nestled into the bottom corner.

A minute later, Tielemans came within inches of hauling Villa level only to see his fine strike sail through Merinoโ€™s legs and cannon of the foot of Rayaโ€™s post.

It was a let-off for Arsenal but in the 68th minute, Villa had their equaliser.

Matty Cash was allowed to whip in a cross from Villaโ€™s right-hand side and Watkins, unmarked from six yards, volleyed past Raya to land his 10th of the season and leave the Emirates stunned.

Arsenal looked for a response and, after rarely threatening, looked to have landed the winner when Havertz helped Merinoโ€™s shot on its way past Martinez.

The Emirates went wild but a VAR check followed and then disallowed his strike to leave Arteta on his knees. Merino then hit the Villa woodwork, with Martinez diverting Trossardโ€™s follow-up from danger.

Seven minutes of stoppage time followed and Trossard had a golden chance to win it but he dragged his effort agonisingly wide as Arsenal were left to reflect on a sobering draw in their hunt for a first title in two decades.

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    Mute John arse
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:54 PM

    Great to see- Arsenal being Spursy!

    32
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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:18 PM

    @John arse: Arteta definitely getting a free passโ€ฆ.. is it 5 years in charge without winning anything of significance

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    Mute Fionn Bohane
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:24 PM

    @Jp Cleary: A poor manโ€™s Wenger

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:53 PM

    What a lovely day it is

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    Mute Michael Foley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:53 PM

    Emery ya Beaut! Arteta has a face like a bulldog licking p%as off a thistle after that

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    Mute Michael Foley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:53 PM

    @Michael Foley: p%ss

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:52 PM

    Poor Arteta. Lad needs another 300 million to fix this, cheque book manager!

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:04 PM

    @Dan The Man: :-) United fans are the best. Haha, Have u no shame? lol. United have the most expensive squads and highest wage billโ€ฆ.but that doesnโ€™t suit ur agenda does it buddy.

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:12 PM

    @Dan The Man: ah your a utd supporter, I didnโ€™t realizeโ€ฆbut rich talking about money spent isnโ€™t it. Youโ€™ve spent more than anyone and that doesnโ€™t include all the managers you had to pay off, so on your bike!

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:15 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: donโ€™t mind the faceless coward Josh. The only piece of happyness at the end of a difficult season will be to see how HURT they will be when pool eventually win it.

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:22 PM

    @Sean Oโ€™Maolain: Sean Iโ€™m a fan of anyone who rams one into Arsenal which could be any number of clubs this season especially. Their fans are so arrogant. At least Liverpool have lifted Premier league and the Champions League. Ye lads walk around in droves like youโ€™ve won the quadruple the last three seasons in a row

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    Mute anthony davoren
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:36 PM

    @Sean Oโ€™Maolain: to be fair to united and their supportersโ€ฆ.they have far more won in the last ten years than Arsenal. Bad and all as they are. In fact thereโ€™s a funny fact going around that Ten hag won more in his two years with united than Arteta has in his four years with Arsenal. Arteta definitely getting a free pass

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:46 PM

    @Dan The Man: ya, ur rightโ€ฆ. How dare arsenal fans go around happy cause they win. Only united fans are allowed do that right? God ur some helmet :-)

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    Mute Dessie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:10 PM

    @Sean Oโ€™Maolain: remind me what they have won ??

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:12 PM

    @Dessie: ohh look who it is. โ€œwe won a cup, doesnโ€™t matter that wer 15thโ€ :) shameless fanbase. Lol

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    Mute anthony davoren
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    Jan 19th 2025, 8:08 AM

    @Sean Oโ€™Maolain: all that matters is winning cupsโ€ฆ.

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    Mute Dessie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:01 PM

    Same old Arsenal

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:22 PM

    @Dessie: ur on here a fair bit these days old buddy. Bit rich and the anount of times u called me โ€œsnideโ€ lol. Same old Arsenal in second haha and where are yer boys lol!

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    Mute Dessie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:11 PM

    @Sean Oโ€™Maolain: never called you that wee seanie. Just so funny thinking your wee club is one of the big boys. Areta is a complete fraud.

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    Mute Ray Ridge
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:57 PM

    What do I know about football!!

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:59 PM

    @Ray Ridge: stick to rugby oh wait try squash

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    Mute Niall Boyle
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:05 PM

    @Ray Ridge: as much as you know about rugby

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    Mute Seanie
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:09 PM

    @Niall Boyle: leinster were drawing today 14 all he commented some negitive stuff about ireland and leinster then leinster scored 4 tries lol poor dude cant get anything right

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    Mute Niall Boyle
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:15 PM

    @Seanie: if Ray predicted the winner of a one-horse race, they horse would inevitably fall

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:26 PM

    @Ray Ridge: You know plenty Ray. You stick around pal!

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    Mute Niall Boyle
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:04 PM

    Has there ever been a more overrated manager than Arteta in the Premier League?

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:24 PM

    @Niall Boyle: how is he overrated? Heโ€™s taken an arsenal team that weโ€™re outside the top 4 and in the doldrums and made them title contenders. Weve faultered again this season but we only lost by 2 points last year. Most clubs would give their right arm to be in that position.

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:27 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: Title contendersโ€ฆ. haaaaa haaaaaa

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:27 PM

    @Niall Boyle: and it was a record number of points for us last season, but just not enough compared to City. Liverpool would know plenty about that experience.

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:33 PM

    @Jp Cleary: do you disagree with the premier league table mathematics for the 22/23 and 23/24 season? I can get you a calculator if you like.

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    Mute Joe Beirne
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:42 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: Jesus you are bitter, itโ€™s fans like you that nobody wants the bottle jobs to win it

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:51 PM

    @Joe Beirne: Iโ€™m not bitter at all. Just when people are trolling, you troll back.

    We donโ€™t deserve to win it this season and Liverpool are going to cake walk it. And after all the seasons that city shafted them, Iโ€™m kinda glad theyโ€™ll win it. Gives me hope we can do it. Happy?

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    Mute Joe Beirne
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:26 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: fair,

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:50 PM

    @Joe Beirne: haha, canโ€™t wait for ur tears when pool win it. Isnโ€™t it funnyโ€ฆ United fans always say pool fans are obsessed. Yet here we are, United fans all over this article. Brain cells and all :)

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    Mute damien leen
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    Jan 18th 2025, 10:01 PM

    @Niall Boyle: long list of them at Utd

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    Mute John arse
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    Jan 19th 2025, 12:17 AM

    @Joe Beirne: Good man Joe, on trolling Arsenal and Liverpool as Utd lie in the bottom half of the table,Gas man!

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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Jan 18th 2025, 10:01 PM

    Hon The Villa!

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:24 PM

    No sign of Paulie the football guru on here, no?

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:04 PM

    @ecrowley ecrowley: he was ready to go with 91 minutes played in the Liverpool game.

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    Mute Deano74
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:10 PM

    @ecrowley ecrowley: crawly Paulie is out from under the rock alright,heโ€™s around somewhere,he was on the Liverpool article earlier, suprise surprise.

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:23 PM

    @Deano74: the only articles he ever appears.

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Jan 18th 2025, 9:25 PM

    โ€œCrawly Paulieโ€. Hahahaha!

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    Mute colin coady
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    Jan 18th 2025, 11:01 PM

    @ecrowley ecrowley: ah heโ€™s a bit confused tonight poor fella

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    Mute John arse
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    Jan 19th 2025, 12:19 AM

    @ecrowley ecrowley: He got his arse handed back to him on the Liverpool thread earlier!!!

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    Mute colin coady
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:04 PM

    Just listened to Arteta press conference 100% spuffer.
    Holy Shit it must be the bitter blue nose coming out of him

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    Mute Kevin
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:52 PM

    Opps

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    Mute Robert Clifford
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:05 PM

    Same Old Arsenal

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    Mute anthony davoren
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:34 PM

    More snags than a dodgy builder

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:55 PM

    Thatโ€™s a gut punch. To be 2-0 up and get pegged back, and then all those chances at the death. Hit Havertz in the chest from the angles Iโ€™ve seen, open to correction on that. Still doesnโ€™t really change much, Liverpool are going to win it but I at least wanted us to make it interesting.

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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Jan 18th 2025, 7:59 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: Get yourself some glasses tomorrow lad

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:00 PM

    @Dan The Man: I only seen it on 2 second clip Bluesky(new Twitter) so it could have been a handball for all I know

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    Mute Kevin
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:01 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: clear handball mate

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:05 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: lots of points still on the table. So called smaller clubs have been great this season.

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:06 PM

    @Kevin: well Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa feels it was harshly rules out according to the Athletic but you know best!

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    Mute Graham
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:06 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: also, when did hands become chest?

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:09 PM

    @Graham: or when did chest become handsโ€ฆyouโ€™d have to ask Freud that one

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    Mute Sean O'Maolain
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    Jan 18th 2025, 8:13 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: I think ur focusing on Kaiโ€™s left hand, it actually hits his right hand. Very disappointing again today. Yet again Merino was a statue in CM. Cannot understand y zin didnโ€™t come on and play myles further upfront.

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    Mute Ulick
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    Jan 18th 2025, 10:10 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: TDS Twitter.

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    Mute mark sheehan
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    Jan 18th 2025, 10:48 PM

    @Joshua Walsh: it was handball, hit him on the inside of his forearm and into back of the net.

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