LIVE BLOG END

Thanks for joining me today for a really entertaining game of football. Now that I'm done here, stick around on Bleacher Report for analysis of this match and all the others in the Premier League today.

I'll be back in this space shortly with six things we learned from this pulsating match, so you'll want to look out for that one, in particular.

Until next time, thanks for your company, grab a drink to settle yourself down and have a great weekend. I'll be back next Sunday for the North London Derby.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Post-match

A gripping encounter at the Emirates sees Arsenal skate by 2-1 winners thanks to a brilliant individual display by Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard's two goals were just enough to get the Gunners past an Aston Villa side that fought to the end and looked like they had secured the draw.

Arsenal still have obvious defensive issues to fix, but they got the three points they unquestionably needed today, and that will be enough for Arsene Wenger in the short-term.

FULL TIME

90+4'—One more minute for Arsenal to hold out, as Villa come forward for possibly the final time.

90+3'—Arsenal passing it around in Villa's third, looking for the goal that will seal the game. Just what Arsene Wenger wants.

90+2'—Arsenal substitution

Laurent Koscielny replaces Theo Walcott.

90'—Ooh, Szczesny had to be very alert to dive for a low cross across his penalty box, and he had to use al 6'5" of his frame to do so.

End to end stuff, as Walcott drives a shot that's saved by Guzan, and Villa come forward enthusiastically.

Four minutes of stoppage time.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

89'—The extra benefit for Arsenal is that Aston Villa have to come out of their own box a little, as they have much to gain from a point today.

With the fragile state of Arsenal's defense, this won't be over until the final whistle sounds, but it's looking good for Arsene Wenger's side.

87'—GOAL!!!

Santi Cazorla finally puts it in for Arsenal, and how deserved is that!

The Spaniard has easily been Arsenal's best player during the past 10 minutes, and he gets his brace. Nacho Monreal pulled a low cross across the box, and for once an Arsenal player was there to meet it.

Easy finish for Cazorla once he got to the ball, and it's 2-1 Arsenal. Is that the winner?

84'—Excellent opportunity for Arsenal there, as Cazorla zipped a low cross right across goal, but no one was in a position to put it in the back of the net.

More and more desperate for Arsenal now. A draw would be catastrophic.

83'—Aston Villa substitution

Simon Dawkins replaces Charles N'Zogbia.

82'—Oh, so close from Giroud!

He had a free header from six yards out and Guzan did spectacularly well to tip the ball onto his crossbar and just out of play. Closest Arsenal have come in a while.

80'—Another corner for Arsenal, to be taken by Theo Walcott. Brad Guzan deals with it, and Arsenal come forward again.

But there's a lime green wall at the back for Villa, and it's going to be tougher and tougher for Arsenal to get any space.

Another corner.

78'—Santi Cazorla has acres of space for a cross, and when he does put one in, absolutely no one is in the middle to attack it. Inexplicable.

76'—Arsenal substitution

Lukas Podolski replaces Carl Jenkinson. Obvious what that change is trying to accomplish.

75'—Crucial block by Per Mertesacker, as Christian Benteke tried to head the ball back into the danger zone at the near post.

Villa on the attack now after the ensuing corner. Arsene Wenger comes off the bench, as his defense is becoming leakier than a colander.

73'—Aston Villa substitution

Karim El Ahmadi relieved Kieren Westwood in a like-for-like substitution.

72'—The camera cuts to Stan Kroenke once again, and the atmosphere at the Emirates gets a bit more spicy.

Weimann's been Villa's best player today, so he certainly deserved that goal. Up to Arsenal now to show that they're the better team.

Which they are. Right?

70'—GOAL!!!

Incredible counterattack from Aston Villa and what a finish from Andreas Weimann!

Villa had a four-on-three break, Weimann took a shot from 25 yards out and Wojciech Szczesny really should have saved it. He got two hands on a ball that was well within his reach, but he couldn't keep the ball out.

Utterly against the run of play, and Arsenal really need to score now.

67'—Yellow card for Fabian Delph after he scythes down Jack Wilshere on the left side of midfield. Mikel Arteta will take the free-kick.

Benteke defends it well, Cazorla has a good chance at the top of the box and it's deflected out of play for an Arsenal corner.

66'—The ball cannons off Benteke in the wall, and Arsenal are forced to get started again from a throw-in.

The Gunners are relying a bit more on crosses today, with numerous players launching balls into the box. Arsenal's problem is that only Olivier Giroud looks like he can score them.

Still a great period of pressure from Arsenal.

63'—Free-kick for Arsenal in a good position, as Charles N'Zogbia nudged Aaron Ramsey in the back. Maybe 30 yards out, centrally located. Looks like Cazorla will take it.

61'—Arsenal substitution

Aaron Ramsey replaces Abou Diaby, who looks to be injured, as he walks straight down the tunnel. Really unfortunate for the Frenchman if it is an injury.

61'—

10 - Santiago Cazorla is the first Arsenal player to net 10 league goals in his debut season since Thierry Henry in 1999-2000. Decurion.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2013

60'—Another corner for Arsenal, as Jack Wilshere's shot takes a deflection and goes over the bar.

Wilshere takes it, and the defending is duly done, though nervously.

Jack's been a much better player in the second half, running at Villa's defense and dictating play from his position at the tip of Arsenal's midfield.