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Arsenal start the season without dropping points

Arsenal made it through the first two weeks of the Premier League without dropping a point. At Villa Park, the visitors beat Aston Villa 1-0 thanks to Bukayo Saka's 59th-minute goal, earning a second straight win while still not conceding.

The match marked Mikel Arteta's 250th league game in charge. The Arsenal manager kept the same starting lineup that had beaten Coventry 3-0 in the season opener, and the decision was rewarded by a goal after the break.

What were the turning points?

The home side began the match more threateningly. Emiliano Buendia's fierce shot came back off the post, while Arsenal's defence came under pressure in the early stages. After the visitors settled, Pau Torres made a crucial block to stop the ball from reaching Christos Tzolis after Saka's cross.

Late in the first half, Arsenal's appeals for a penalty for Riccardo Calafiori came to nothing. At half-time, Arsenal brought on Eberechi Eze for Tzolis and began to look more dangerous going forward, with the impact of the change felt quickly.

  • VAR turned down the penalty given for Ian Maatsen's challenge on Saka, ruling that the foul had taken place outside the box and changing it to a free kick.
  • For the goal, Calafiori burst into the area after Eze's pass, cut the ball across the face of goal, and Saka tapped in from close range.

Arsenal also had a chance to add a second through Kai Havertz, but Zion Suzuki denied them. In the closing minutes, Declan Rice limped off, the only major concern for Arteta's side on the night.

Second straight defeat for Aston Villa as pressure grows

Aston Villa suffered a second consecutive league defeat. Unai Emery's side were beaten 4-0 by Brighton on the opening weekend and, despite showing more resistance at home this time, they again came away empty-handed.

The club's heavy transfer activity over the summer was reflected in the team's look as well. Having sold several key players to stay in line with the Premier League's financial rules, Villa were unable to keep together much of the squad that won silverware last season.

New faces and changes in the stands stood out

Nicolas Jackson, who joined from Chelsea, and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, signed from Parma, both made their Villa debuts. Meanwhile, part of Villa Park being closed to supporters because of capacity expansion work stood out as a sign of the club's wider transition, both on and off the pitch.

Former Villa player Konsa returns in Arsenal colours

Ezri Konsa faced his former club for the first time since joining Arsenal from Aston Villa in August for £51 million. Brought on in the closing stages, the defender was met with both boos and applause from Villa fans and helped Arsenal see out the result.

  • Arsenal will host Chelsea on Sunday, another team that has won its first two matches of the season.
  • Villa, still without a point after two weeks, will continue its search for a response under Emery.
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