Bukayo Saka scored the only goal as Arsenal marked Mikel Arteta’s 250th Premier League game in charge with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa, who remain without a point at the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
Villa arrived at Villa Park looking to recover from a difficult few weeks, having lost several key players and suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their opening league fixture. They started brightly against Arsenal and came close to taking the lead after 12 minutes when Emiliano Buendía’s long-range strike rattled the crossbar.
The hosts continued to frustrate Arsenal for much of the opening half, while the Gunners looked most threatening from set-pieces. Declan Rice came close with a header from a corner, but Villa debutant Zion Suzuki produced an excellent save to tip the effort over the bar. Suzuki’s appearance also made him the first Japanese goalkeeper to feature in the Premier League.
Arsenal gradually grew into the game and dominated possession, but their control failed to produce clear-cut opportunities. Neither side managed a shot on target before half-time, while Villa striker Nicolas Jackson, making his debut following his club-record £65 million move from Chelsea, found himself isolated for long periods.
Arteta introduced Eberechi Eze for Christos Tzolis at the break, but Villa created the first opening of the second half. Ian Maatsen fired over from a tight angle before becoming involved in a controversial moment at the other end.
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Maatsen was initially judged to have conceded a penalty after appearing to bring Saka down inside the area, but VAR overturned the decision after confirming the contact occurred just outside the box. Martin Ødegaard came within inches of giving Arsenal the lead from the resulting free-kick, sending his effort narrowly wide.
Arsenal eventually broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. Riccardo Calafiori burst beyond the Villa defence before delivering a low cross into the danger area, where Saka bundled the ball over the line to score his second Premier League goal in as many matches.
The goal opened up the contest, with Arsenal looking increasingly dangerous on the counter. Bruno Guimarães came off the bench to make his Premier League debut for the Gunners, while Suzuki kept Villa in the game with a superb one-on-one save to deny Kai Havertz.
There was another notable debut late on when Ezri Konsa came on for Cristhian Mosquera to make his first appearance for Arsenal against the club he had left earlier in the month. The defender helped Arsenal see out the victory as Arteta’s side made it two wins from two at the beginning of the Premier League season.
The result also extended Arsenal’s impressive away record, with the Gunners now winning their first away league match of the season in five consecutive campaigns, a new club record.
For Villa, however, the problems continue. Emery’s side remain without a shot on target in the Premier League this season and have now failed to win any of their last seven Monday league fixtures, recording four draws and three defeats.
