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Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal was the difference as Arsenal overcame a stubborn Aston Villa side in a close encounter at Villa Park.
Saka fired home from close range on 59 minutes after neat interplay between Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori broke through a stubborn Villa backline.
The result means the Premier League champions maintain their winning start to the season while Villa remain searching for their first victory of the campaign.
This fixture was one of the few matches that Arsenal lost in winning the Premier League title last season but Saka’s goal decided what was a tight game despite an improved showing from Unai Emery’s much-changed Aston Villa line-up.
The reigning Europa League champions were 4-0 down after 31 minutes at Brighton on the opening weekend but they showed far more resilience against the Gunners from the outset, with Emiliano Buendia crashing the ball against the crossbar on 12 minutes.
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Mikel Arteta’s men, unchanged from the win over Coventry, were their usual probing selves, asking searching questions from set pieces and controlling possession for long periods. But Gabriel’s mistimed header was as close as they came in the first half.
Summer signing Christos Tzolis was substituted at half-time after receiving a yellow card and running the risk of a sending off after that, but the introduction of Eze worked out well with the Gunners ramping up the pressure in the second half with the ever-impressive Saka to the fore.
Sam’s thought he had won a penalty early in the second half but Ian Maatsen’s foul was ruled to be outside the box following a VAR review. It mattered not because he slotted home Calafiori’s cross from close range soon afterwards.
Up next for Arsenal is the London derby with Chelsea, who have also won their two opening Premier League matches – 3-2 win at Fulham and 4-3 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.
1 Comment
Just love this Unai Emery of a guy.
Give him a small club of small players, and he will transform them into a team that is capable of giving the big clubs a run for their cheddar.
That right there is a proper coach.
Chelle is doing very well, and I want him to stay. When he leaves, if we’re serious, we should be planning ahead to land Emery, or a coach of his calibre.
Money for me should not be the issue. If we have to, we should break the bank, and take an IMF loan, to land this guy.
Make him an offer he can’t refuse, and he will come.
Yes, Unai Emery will bring his butt to Abuja, ready to resume duty.
I make bold to say, with Emery, we will reach the semi finals of the world cup.
Yes, I said it, with all humility.
Spain is cooking something. It’s not a coincidence that so many of the premier league clubs have Spanish coaches.
Great game management by Arsenal. This is the definition of grinding out a win. It makes a big difference on the league table.
As for La Liga, somebody please fetch a fire extinguisher. Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon are on fire. Please hurry and fetch it, before they burn to ashes.
These 3 guys are just phenomenal. Madrid has also been playing well, with Bellingham (yes, I mentioned Bellingham first), Mbappe, Guler, Vinicius, and others producing football that will take your breath away.
The two titans will have an epic clash this season to decide where the trophy is headed. it will be a fight to the finish.