Result: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Competition: Premier League
Date: Wednesday 31st August
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney, Lokonga, Xhaka, Ødegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Ramsey, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins
Arsenal maintained their winning start to the Premier League campaign as they ran out 2-1 winners over struggling Aston Villa.
Gabriel Jesus was in full fox-in-the-box mode when he opened the scoring in the first half. Villa found an equaliser through a stunning Douglas Luiz corner that went all the way in. But Gabriel Martinelli won the game for the Gunners with a back post finish to continue his own fine start to the season.
PRE-MATCH
Arsenal were looking to continue their perfect start to the season and remain atop the Premier League pile with a fifth win on the bounce. But injuries have started to build in the middle of the park and may even force the club to dip into the transfer market before the deadline passes.
Mikel Arteta made one change to the side that beat Fulham on the weekend – with Sambi Lokonga coming in for the stricken Mohamed Elneny, who has picked up a knee injury.
FIRST HALF
As the sun begin to set over North London, Arsenal set about asserting themselves. But it was Aston Villa who had the first half-chance of the game as Emiliano Buendia scuffed a shot over the bar.
The Emirates crowd was up in arms appealing for a penalty after Bukayo Saka had his shirt pulled before seemingly being thrown to the ground in the area. But VAR said no penalty.
Arsenal’s first attempt on target came from Gabriel Jesus as he was slipped through by a clever, quickly taken free-kick. Emi Martinez saved at his near post. The following corner kick-started a sequence of Arsenal pressure, but Villa survived.
As the clock ticked towards the 20 minute mark, the temperature began to climb. Villa had clearly been instructed to impose themselves physically, to put it gently. The most notable challenge coming from Jacob Ramsey, who received a yellow card.
The most glaring Arsenal chance of the game so far, fell to Saka who shanked the ball high and wide after a wickedly vicious cross from Gabriel Martinelli.
Then on the half hour mark, after over 10 attempts on goal, the Gunners broke the deadlock. It was a Granit Xhaka effort that Martinez failed to deal with properly and Jesus’ goal-getting instincts kicked in as he slotted home the rebound. 1-0 Arsenal.
Arsenal finished the half very strongly as they continued to knock on the door. Saka had another ‘how’s that stayed out?’ moment in a goal-mouth scramble that Villa managed to clear off the line. Then just before the half time whistle went, Martinelli unleashed a stunning volley from outside the area, which was well saved by Martinez.
SECOND HALF
The second half started with William Saliba picking up a booking for a tactical foul as he dragged down Ollie Watkins. But soon after that, Arsenal were back to dominating possession and re-found their passing rhythm from the first period.
Martinez continued his bizarre performance in the Aston Villa goal as he appeared to get Jesus in a headlock before falling on the ground as if he’d been fouled. It seems the Argentine’s questionable decisions rubbed off on the referee, who awarded Villa the free-kick.
On 64 minutes, Mikel Arteta made his first change of the evening as Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Ben White, in a like for like swap at right back. A few minutes later, John McGinn was shown a yellow card for what felt like his 100th foul of the game, after a dangerous tackle on Martin Ødegaard.
Then in the 74th minute, having dominated the game throughout, Arsenal allowed Villa back into the game after a Douglas Luiz corner went straight into the goal. Ramsdale appeared to be being held by Watkins, but VAR said nothing doing. 1-1.
But before we could even ask the question of whether Arsenal could respond, they restored their lead. A Saka ball across goal found Martinelli, who squeezed the ball past Martinez at the back post. 2-1 Arsenal.
Arteta was then forced into a change as Ødegaard hobbled off, still feeling the affects of McGinn’s earlier challenge. Fans were delighted to see Emile Smith-Rowe get some minutes, but were also hoping their captain wasn’t too hurt.
Eddie Nketiah came on for Jesus late on, and he went on a brilliant mazy run from the halfway line to the edge of the Villa box, before firing over.
As the full time whistle went, Arsenal were a little more reserved in their festivities, no doubt much to the delight of the celebration police. Perhaps that was because up next its a trip to Old Trafford and a face off against the old enemy: Manchester United.
There’s still question marks over Arsenal’s ruthlessness and ability to kill games early, but if they keep showing the character they have this week, there’s every chance this could be a great season.
COYG
We played so well too. Shame about the score line: flatters Villa. But man, can’t complain about the result especially since we were so so good. COYG!!!
I apologize to Sambi…had his breakout game! World class! We didn’t miss a beat in the middle!!
Wtf was that decision on ramsdale. 19/20 team get that as foul. I am seriously tired against this shitty shitty referring standards. Tuchel raised his voice and got banned. Insane and pathetic from FA.
Personally I’m not a fan of this “let the game flow” thing. It just seems to be an excuse to let teams get away with kicking lumps out of each other. How Odegaard got a yellow before Kamara I don’t know. Mings grabbed Saka in a bear-hug but apparently that’s fine. There was even an occasion in the second half where I thought Saka blatantly fouled the Villa defender in their box, which led to a great chance for us, so it’s not something designed to hurt us. I just think it’s the referees association trying to make up for… Read more »
It wasn’t a foul, Ramsdale needed to be stronger. Every goal we have conceded so far has been our mistakes. Cut them out and we are flying even higher
Higher than top of the league on 15 pts from 15??
Instead of 2-1 Fulham 2-1 villa it’s 2-0 2-0. Better goal difference and even grester confidence and belief. COYG
@bleeding gums That’s absolutely a foul on Ramsdale. The law states you cannot impede a player from getting to the ball.
The only way Ramsdale could have been “stronger” would have been to body the Villa man out of the way and risk a penalty.
Because I’m a loser;
“Holding an opponent includes the act of preventing him from moving past or around using the hands, the arms or the body”
“Offences committed against goalkeepers
• It is an offence to restrict the movement of the goalkeeper by unfairly impeding him, e.g. at the taking of a corner kick”
Fair play to you sir buts it’s still never a foul for me. If villa player is facing Ramsdale that’s a foul. I would have been livid if that was at the other end and s foul was given against us. Now Leno was fouled last season in first game at Brentford.
It’s a foul. The same way Mendy was impeded last Saturday and Leicester City scored but it was disallowed.
Take the L on this one Murph. It’s against the laws of the game to impede the keeper. Saying it’s not a foul for me means you support the “let it flow” movement which is a bunch of subjective BS that allows refs to call games as they see them and not according to the laws of the game.
that was a foul all day, true Ramsdale has to be stronger but keepers are protected species and the villa player was holding him. it’s clear as daylight. Anyone else but an Arsenal player would have got that as a foul on him.
It’s a foul because he has two arms around rammers behind his back. He’s locked in. Terrible decision. How that cannot be seen on review is staggering.
2 matches in a row, we’ve got goal kicks awarded as corner kicks to the opponents. Is that the new fuck-Arsenal-over method?
Shocked this wasn’t talked about more. Almost lead to a Fulham goal, and led to their goal today
The ref at Anfield refused to blow for full-time until Liverpool scored.
Yeah Sambi had his best game in an arsenal shirt, albeit maybe a little nervous towards the end.
He is small, did ok.
You’re not the only one mate.
Some humble pie with my St Thomas’s Road burger tonight!!
I had a horrible feeling in the second half villas neanthrathal tactics would somehow be rewarded by the gods (as they usually are against us) so I’ve never celebrated an Arsenal goal as loudly as the Martinelli one. No doubt Gerard’s team talk was the boring ‘Arsenal don’t like it up em’ one from his playing days. How is he already a dinosaur? Sambi did great. Another win. Just magnificent. We need a fit 11 against those Manc cunts/bbc darlings who are on a bit of a roll and have a clutch of over priced signings who are no doubt… Read more »
2-1 looks like an utterly ridiculous scoreline in the end when you think really by the end of the first half we should’ve been 11-0 up. Talk about flattering
Does Citeh thinks goals get converted to points? We’re top of the table, just fucking get behind us already
It’s a night for Sambi and our Samba boys. Get in!
Sambi was amazing and I hope this is a glimpse of the bright future we saw before signing him.
That said, I hope this performance doesn’t lull management into a false sense of security insofar as the midfield is concerned. We need urgent reinforcement, the season is long and our best midfielder is injury prone.
Touching everything I can in the hope that MO is not injured.
Roll out the fucking buses for celebration. Fuck the celebration police
Better than winning the Audi Cup.
Stick that in your pipe you prehistoric pervert 🔑
Gritty performance, baffling officiating, super proud of the boys
Lots of people will rightly get attention. Just a shout out to Tomiyasu who was so calm in that last 15 minutes and cleaned up beautifully. And Nketiah’s little cameo was **chef’s kiss**
Always love to watch Tomi. Class.
Eddie came on and did exactly what we would hope. Outlet, holding up play, running at players, high energy, being a nuisance. The only thing missing was a third goal, but he clearly helped us hold that lead and win the match. Well done.
In the space of a few minutes there was Martinelli’s goal, a wonderful image of Gerrard looking very sadly at a TV monitor and news that West Ham had equalised. That was bing bing bing on the happiness slot machine for me.
Oooonly another 33 W’s to go!!
and we are on for top four! 🙂
Once again, we come right back on top after we’re pulled back. That takes character!
Should have been winning this game easily from the first half given the chances we didn’t take, but I’ll take this. I’ll take this till the end of the season 😁
That finish by Gabi was not easy at all. His technique was perfect leaning as far forward as he could and it still almost went high. He was so good today. Cash the Polish Cafu? Maybe the Polish Jon Flanagan?
I would argue that Cash is a good wrong back hence Martinelli roasting tastes even better
Gabi is the nuts!
What I love about this team is the sheer brilliance when playing well and will to get it right when we stutter. Can’t fault that. We play like that all season and the fans will be right behind them win draw or lose. Amazing stuff. Bring on Manure. COYG!!!
I think you have our first goal loaded again for their equaliser.
I know they’re not the toughest games we’re going to face this season, but I really didn’t expect to be 5 from 5 at this stage, long may it continue (I hope to fuck we beat manyoo) COYG!
Great result! The fact we can win without Partay or Zinchenko is really positive. Hopefully they are ready for next game as they make everything flow a bit better.
Great first half; nervy end. We need to be more clinical in the opposition box when we are on top.
The way it’s going, it might come down to goals difference between us and City.
A man can dare to dream.
I need a nap after just watching Jesus. He is relentless. And Eddies 20 min was one of the best 20 min sub appearances without scoring. Tomis appearance shows just how much he adds. As good as Whites been I think Tomi gives us more there, in both halves. Let’s hope Ode’s injury nothing serious. But excited to see ESR there too.
Agreed with everything – just pointing out Eddie came on around the 86th minute, so more like 10 insane minutes.
Great first half; good second one.
Fantastic the way we dominated in the first 45 minutes, but we should have put the game to bed. We can’t keep a clean sheet and so were always going to concede, but we showed great character to come right back at them.
Martinelli MOTM for me but good all-round performances.
Now let’s beat United and make a real statement!
I hope the crowd, players and management all did their best to piss off Richard Keys and Simon Jordan!
We were playing some lovely stuff and 2-1 flatters Villa. Bit concerned about MØ getting left on for 10 mins after the foul: he was clearly struggling. Fingers crossed…
Bonus rating: 10/10 for Arsenal’s new found ability to score immediately after conceding a goal. Long may it continue!
I just hope we can do it against the bigger teams, if needed. With the best will in the world, Fulham and Villa don’t really fit into that category do they.
Great result and another well earned 3 points. Fantastic performances all over the pitch Should have scored a hatful of goals, but proud of how quickly we came back after their goal. Loving the Atmosphere in the ground and that it is still full at the end after all those years of everyone leaving early. The future is bright, the future is Arsenal
I love Ben White, but something about Tomiyasu brings out the best from Saka. Conundrum.
I guess the overlap, makes it much more difficult for defenders to concentrate on Saka and just doesn’t seem natural to White (who’s amazing otherwise)
Or even to show for a back pass when Saka has drawn in 2-3 players. Love White too but Tomiyasu is the specialist
Not complaining as I’m delighted with three point but we should have won like 4-0!
Was that not a foul for Villa’s goal?
How did Saka not get a penalty in first half too?
Onwards and upwards. Any wait to see some the bench players in Europa league soon. Marquinhos looks like he’s 30!
*Can’t wait
Didn’t think it was a pen on Saka, was definitely a pen against Ramsdale.
One of those days where if the ref had given both decisions to arsenal, VAR wouldn’t have overturned them.
Hopefully saving our “luck” for a day when we really need it.
*free kick not pen on Ramsdale. That would have been generous
Great performance and fighting character tonight. They got away with a lot tonight and we’ve been accused of being a soft touch in the past, but really stood up tonight.
Enjoying the ride, stuff Richard Keys.
Am a little concerned with the injury build up though. Hope Marty is ok for the manure match.
I am loving this MY Arsenal over and over and over again.
Incredible passion, dedication and commitment by all the players. Take a bow all of you.
Martinez is a cheat. Had a great game and was the reason the scoreline was respectable for Aston Villa. But was he trying to deliberately get Jesus sent off?
Bring on Man United. We are more than capable.
Hope Odegaard is fine? I am over the moon for this team
Great performances all over the pitch. Martinelli, Jesus, Ode, Gabriel. Sambi played well but tired which is understandable being his first start. Xhaka was immense tonight. Also the support was fantastic, 5 out of 5. COYG!!!!
Premier League officiating is like a piece of subversive avant-garde comedy. I think it will be derided in its day but find critical re-approval at a much later date.
What a fucking joke to allow the equaliser, holding and blocking a keeper attempting to stop a ball on target. What on earth was Ramsdale supposed to do there? Aren’t keepers supposed to be overprotected these days?
Having VAR available encourages the ref to demure to it, but VAR just demured right back at him
Also quite delicious to see Martinez cock up for both our goals. I bet he regrets leaving to spend his prime years at Villa so badly
Oh ok to demure doesn’t mean ehat I thought it meant
We’re the arsenal, from now on words mean what we tell them they mean
Remember though, we sOlD tHe WrOnG kEePeR & Emi said he joined the bigger club. That aside, he seriously let his emotions get to him again like last season, wtf was that with Jesus? Man should be embarrassed how he flopped around after he was the one putting the headlock on! Proper shades of Lehmann vs Drogba but at least Jens was touched
Thank you all xxx
I’m a bit unhappy about all the celebrations. It was only ASTon vilLA.
i’m happy for the win and all, but i can’t express the indignation i feel with villa’s goal. it wasn’t only a clear foul on ramsdale, it should also have been a second yellow, on a player who should have been shown a yellow two times before. i just can’t believe a VAR referee saw kamara literaly hugging ramsdale and decided it was a valid goal. so much effort from the boys almost wasted for nothing. pure indignation for this federation’s refereing
Surprised Villa only picked up the one yellow in the 1st half, ref could’ve booked half their team with what I’ll loosely call their attempts at tackles
That was a great game ! Shout out to Sambi he was excellent & Gabi Jesus just fu**ing WOW ! But hey ? It’s a team thing & this lot look like a team playing for the club To me best performance so far even given they scored a baffling goal ! How was it not a foul ?
Nice to actually have a striker who scores & puts the effort in, makes a helluva difference to this team. Watched Reims/Lyon on Sunday & Laca is still allergic to the 6 yard box or hustling when his teams attacking
What a moment to be an Arsenal fan.
The officiating is terrible though but kudos to the guys for digging out the desired result.
On to United next
That was a clear foul on ramsdale. How on earth VAR dismissed that!!
First half was immense.
Showed character after another mistake…..roll on Man U 🔥
(well played Sambi)
Well done lads. A superb performance again from one and all. And, without further ado, first up for the praise this evening is Sambi – who I harboured serious doubts about but he proved me wrong about his readiness. He was calm, composed, kept the ball on the move nicely and didn’t seem fazed at all. What I liked particularly about him was that he played the simple ball, didn’t try anything flash and linked up the play nicely all evening. That’s a big slice of humble pie for yours truly and one that I am only too happy to… Read more »
I am loving this MY Arsenal over and over and over again.
Incredible passion, dedication and commitment by all the players. Take a bow all of you.
Martinez is a cheat. Had a great game and was the reason the scoreline was respectable for Aston Villa. But was he trying to deliberately get Jesus sent off?
Bring on Man United. We are more than capable.
Hope Odegaard is fine?
1-1 link is of the first goal
Fixed now
This arsenal side makes me wanna move to London. Jesus bullies defenders twice his size every game. The fact that sambi slots in seamlessly in the midfield is a massive credit to Arteta and how well drilled our squad is right now. Let’s now go on and DOMINATE united at old Trafford.
Really pissed for Saka. The boy needs the first goal for the season. Hope he gets it against ManU next game. Gabi and Jesus were phenomenal. Shout out to Sambi having a great game. Xhaka was everywhere. The man has been reborn.
COYG
The football we played was almost faultless.
I particularly enjoyed Martinez’s terrible goalkeeping on both our goals. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
We need bodies in the middle of the park…our inability to finish games off will come back to hunt us.
Hate the refs. Love the Arsenal.
We got the three points and that was the most important thing, of course. For me the slight concern is that while we again played the good football, had the possession, the chances etc. etc. we didn’t finish off Villa decisively and it was the same against Fulham. Someone commented earlier that we should have been 11:0 up – and we were certainly well in control of the game, no doubt about that – but in the end it was still only the best of three goals (and for the second game running). I’m sure though that Arteta and co.… Read more »
Martinelli s Goal was a worthy winner. What went on before that , regarding some Aston Assaults just being let go is beyond me. Officials still decide before a ball is kicked to ignore fouls on Arsenal players. Ødegaard for instance ? The old measure of saying ” If that was Xhaka …” Still holds true . Would love to see the Prem officials swapped with 2 dozen refs from Japan. That way we could confirm that Match officials here do indeed use a different rulebook to anywhere else. Despite this I’m well chuffed results are going our way, deservedly… Read more »
And we go on a winning streak till the end of the season. Nothing is impossible.
I’m not disappointed by the standard of tonights Ref and VAR…..
…my opinion of the FA, PGMOL and the Premier League powers that be is so low, they will have to work a lot harder than that to disappoint me.
5/5. 💯% record! COYG!
Some good box to box stuff by Xhaka. Also hope the injury MØ picked up isn’t serious 🤞🏻