Paul Merson singles out Arsenal player for his role in 'worst defensive goal of the weekend' as Ollie Watkins netted dramatic equaliser for Aston Villa
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Paul Merson singled out an Arsenal player for his poor defending in Aston Villa's equalising goal against the Gunners on Saturday. Arsenal looked to be set to cut Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League table back to four points as they led Villa 2-0 at the Emirates, but Unai Emery's side shell-shocked their hosts by scoring two goals themselves to earn a point.
![[Watkins scored a volley in the second half to earn his side a point at the title-chasing Gunners]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/20/94248077-14300433-image-a-136_1737232816977.jpg)
The first came through Youri Tielemans, who headed past David Raya to halve the deficit, before Ollie Watkins powered in a volley off the crossbar to send the away end into raptures. But one man in particular was singled out for criticism in the post-match analysis on Sky Sports, with Paul Merson taking issue at the player's efforts of trying to stop Watkins.
![[It was Thomas Partey, who was filling in at right back in the game, who let Watkins run off him]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/20/94248105-14300433-image-a-137_1737232843647.jpg)
The goal saw Matty Cash swing a cross in from the right with his left foot, before Watkins raced clear of his marker to volley into the top of the goal. Merson went on somewhat of a rant when breaking down the goat, left in disbelief at how Watkins was afforded the chance to break clear.
![[Merson described the Arsenal man's efforts as 'the worst defensive goal of the weekend']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/18/20/94248103-14300433-image-a-138_1737232846098.jpg)
Paul Merson singled out one Arsenal star for criticism because of his role in Ollie Watkins' goal. Watkins scored a volley in the second half to earn his side a point at the title-chasing Gunners. It was Thomas Partey, who was filling in at right back in the game, who let Watkins run off him.
Merson described the Arsenal man's efforts as 'the worst defensive goal of the weekend'. 'It's Partey, it's Partey,' Merson began, speaking on Sky Sports' coverage of the game. 'It gets cleared out. Partey gets set, he drops back in, he's got his man. Then he just leaves him.
