Unai Emery’s outfit scored twice late on before eight minutes of added time was announced. The clock ticked down as Arsenal failed to find a goal and the crowd gradually began filtering out. It left pockets of the Emirates looking empty – which Ferdinand was quick to point out as he posted a picture on his social media. He included the caption: “Early train Arsenal fans???

Ffs”. It also included a head in hands emoji as the ex-Manchester United star made his displeasure known. Tension built gradually at the Emirates throughout Sunday afternoon. They couldn’t take advantage though which means the defending champions now sit first heading into the final stretch.

Only last month Ferdinand criticised the Arsenal fans for, as he put it, getting over excited with some of their recent results. He was speaking to Joel Beya, an Arsenal supporter who hosts Vibe With Five alongside him. “There are three teams playing now to win the league which is Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal – I actually want you boys to win it, but you and some of your fans make me not want you to win it,” said Ferdinand. They have also failed to score in two of their last four league games as City take advantage and now enjoy a two-point lead at the top.

Failing in Europe would leave Arsenal needing to win the league or go another season without silverware. Especially with the chances we had in the first half, the spaces there was. We had to take one of them because in the Premier League, teams will come back to bite you and hurt you. That’s what Villa did in the second half.”

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