Arsenal took their objectives within the Premier League by means of the ages to 2,000 when Bukayo Saka pushed his workforce to a cushty 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The first likelihood of the match fell to Emile Smith Rowe after simply a number of minutes. Saka discovered Martin Odegaard and the Norwegian launched the ball to Smith Rowe, however the workforce’s prime scorer couldn’t maintain his effort down.
Former shooter Emi Martinez was known as simply minutes later to make a elegant instinctive save after the ball was inadvertently ricocheted to his decrease nook by returning Ezri Konsa.
It was all Arsenal within the opening phases, with Saka, Odegaard and Smith Rowe who completely dealt with the present. Their intricate passing was a big drawback for Villa’s backline, who apparently stored on for his or her lives at instances.
It was at all times only a matter of time earlier than Arsenal took the lead and, predictably, it got here by means of Saka. The winger waited at the sting of the field and ran for a knockdown to drive a low effort by means of a bunch of our bodies and past Martinez – Arsenal’s 2,000th objective within the Premier League.
Villa threatened to point out just a little extra after the objective, however they ended the primary half with out asking any actual inquiries to Bernd Leno. They solely had two touches within the Arsenal field through the first 45, which tells you all the things it’s good to know.
The hosts had been extra of a menace after the break. A effectively positioned nook kick from Ashley Young was adopted by Gabri Watkins’s laborious however correct header.
The stress didn’t fall and the subsequent likelihood fell to John McGinn, whose curved effort from exterior the field simply couldn’t crawl again contained in the publish. The similar might be mentioned about Saka, who failed with an virtually an identical effort instantly after.
Arsenal survived the half-storm and slowed down. Both sides loved ball possession however neither of them posed any actual menace to the opposite’s objective.
Substitute Danny Ings got here near a late equalizer when he related a McGinn publish, however he couldn’t maintain down his meandering nod and noticed the way it nestled on prime of Leno’s internet.
Villa continued to press however merely lacked high quality within the last third and Leno by no means actually regarded like letting in.
A strong job towards his former aspect / James Williamson – AMA / GettyImages
Emiliano Martinez (GK) – 6/10 – An wonderful save to forestall an early personal objective however was invisible to Saka’s opener.
Matty Cash (RB) – 5/10 – Lucky to keep away from a yellow in the primary half for some actual challenges. Nothing too lethal on the again however couldn’t intrude within the assault.
Ezri Konsa (CB) – 5/10 – Looked a bit shaky when he returned to the workforce. Not progressive sufficient with the ball.
Tyrone Mings (CB) – 5/10 – Looked terrified to strive to suit ahead, however didn’t have the choices for it anyway. Split followers with a troublesome problem in the primary half that did not likely appear to be the reds that some known as for.
Ashley Young (LB) – 5/10 – Absolutely burned by Saka, Odegaard and Smith Rowe early, however was extra of an attacking menace after the break. Looked like his aspect’s largest menace at instances.
Ramsey shuts down Xhaka / Catherine Ivill / GettyImages
Douglas Luiz (DM) – 4/10 – Took in lots of unusual positions and thought it was powerful to hyperlink protection and assault.
Jacob Ramsey (CM) – 4/10 – Did not provide sufficient in any respect. Looked to struggle towards Arsenal’s press.
John McGinn (CM) – 5/10 – Picked up an pointless yellow and appeared to lose his mood just a little too typically.
Watkins needed to work laborious for his touches / James Williamson – AMA / GettyImages
Emiliano Buendia (RW) – 4/10 – Could not get on the ball in any respect. Arsenal’s press minimize out all of the method to him.
Ollie Watkins (ST) – 5/10 – Like remoted. One or two good runs however consumed leftovers everywhere in the recreation.
Philippe Coutinho (LW) – 5/10 – Lowered very deep to strive to get the ball and make issues occur, however then left his teammates alone up.
Bertrand Traore (RW, 69 ‘for Ramsey) – 5/10
Leon Bailey (LW, 69 ‘for Buendia) – 6/10
Danny Ings (ST, 81 ‘for Watkins) – 6/10
Leno was within the injured Ramsdale / James Williamson – AMA / GettyImages
Bernd Leno (GK) – 6/10 – Largely untried however confirmed bravery to assert some difficult crosses.
Cedric (RB) – 7/10 – Some wonderful attacking work. Involved in Saka’s opener. Has actually taken the step since Tomiyasu’s harm.
Ben White (CB) – 7/10 – Did some vital listening however this was largely a stroll within the park.
Gabriel (CB) – 7/10 – Didn’t have a lot to do both, however made an excellent defensive nod to forestall a tap-in for Watkins after the break.
Kieran Tierney (LB) – 6/10 – The interplay with Smith Rowe was not good however he received the job executed at each ends of the sphere.
Saka celebrates / Chris Brunskill / Fantasista / GettyImages
Thomas Partey (DM) – 7/10 – Dominated midfield battle. Shot round McGinn and Ramsey with ease.
Granit Xhaka (DM) – 6/10 – A bit ruthless at instances however didn’t do a lot flawed. Pressed with good vitality.
Bukayo Saka (RM) – 8/10 – Drove the present. Another dazzling efficiency from the surface, which was far too quick for Young.
Martin Odegaard (AM) – 6/10 – Did some prime work quietly. Nothing that set the world on fireplace however that stored Arsenal ticking on a regular basis. Unselfish.
Emile Smith Rowe (LM) – 7/10 – Wandered round the sphere seeking possession and requested many inquiries to Villa. Should have scored early.
Lacazette’s largest impression was this dive / Catherine Ivill / GettyImages
Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 6/10 – Contributed to Arsenal’s excessive stress however his limitations in entrance of objective had been apparent.
Nicolas Pepe (RM, 69 ‘for Saka) – 6/10
Eddie Nketiah (ST, 77 ‘for Lacazette) – 6/10
Rob Holding (CB, 86 ‘for Odegaard) – N / A
