Arsenal weren’t at their best at Aston Villa, and that’s exactly why this win matters

Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the new Premier League season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of a tight contest shortly before the hour mark as Mikel Arteta’s side followed up their opening 3-0 victory over Coventry City with another three points and a second successive clean sheet.

It was far from Arsenal at their fluent best, but this was exactly the type of away victory that can prove important over the course of a title race.

Arsenal made to work at Villa Park

Villa produced a much stronger performance than in their 4-0 opening-day defeat to Brighton and made life difficult for Arsenal throughout the first half.

The hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock when Emiliano Buendia struck the crossbar, while Arsenal controlled plenty of possession without creating enough clear opportunities.

The Gunners thought they had been awarded a penalty early in the second half when Ian Maatsen challenged Saka, only for VAR to determine that the incident had taken place outside the penalty area.

Arsenal did not have to wait much longer for their breakthrough.

Eberechi Eze, introduced from the bench, found Riccardo Calafiori down the left before the Italian delivered a low ball across goal. Saka reacted quickest, sliding in from close range to make it 1-0 after 59 minutes.

(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Arteta’s substitutes make an impact

There was further encouragement for Arteta from his bench.

Eze played his part in the winning goal, while summer signings Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa were introduced during the second half for their Premier League debuts for Arsenal. Konsa’s appearance came against the club he left this summer.

Kai Havertz had an opportunity to give Arsenal some breathing room but was denied by Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Villa pushed for an equaliser late on, but Arsenal’s defence remained composed and David Raya was not required to make a single save as the hosts finished without a shot on target.

It may only have been 1-0, but Arsenal have now taken six points from their opening two Premier League fixtures without conceding a goal.

Arteta described it afterwards as a “massive win“, and given the difficulty Arsenal have experienced at Villa Park in recent seasons, there is plenty to be satisfied with.

Next up is another significant test, with Chelsea visiting the Emirates on Sunday.

What did you make of Arsenal’s performance? Was this exactly the kind of gritty away victory champions need, and who was your Man of the Match? Let us know in the comments.

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