A couple of games into the season Mikel Arteta must feel as though this really could be his year. Arteta acknowledged his side were fortunate Ollie Watkins missed golden opportunities in each half and Arsenal had just watched another Aston Villachance go to waste as the hosts began to stretch their legs, midfielders wading forward unopposed. Then Arteta brought on Leandro Trossard, the quiet king of scoring big goals, and the substitute scored with his first touch to pave the way to an impressive victory.
Trossard again, olé olé,” sang the away support, a nod to the Belgian’s penchant for timely interventions, with goals against Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester City and Wolves last season.
Thomas Partey doubled Arsenal’s advantage with a shot from the edge of Villa’s 18-yard box and while it was not plain sailing Arteta’s side ultimately could have won by a bigger margin. Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal captain, skied a chance to make it three on 80 minutes, seconds after Riccardo Calafiori, signed from Bologna this summer, came on for his debut. Villa hampered Arsenal’s title hopes last season, beating them home and away, but this time they emerged victorious.
David Raya more than played his part, the Arsenal goalkeeper making a magnificent left-hand save to prevent Watkins from feasting on the rebound of a defected Amadou Onana shot, which looped over Raya and on to the bar. Watkins presumably assumed any contact would ripple the net but Raya had other ideas, rousing off the canvas to intervene. “I thought it was a goal because I saw the reaction of the defensive line … there was none,” Arteta said, a wry smile unfolding on his face. “The ball goes on to the crossbar and we [my players] were all watching the ball. I was going: ‘Oh no, please.’ I see the striker in that position and normally it is a goal but David’s reaction was unbelievable.”
Emiliano Martínez, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, made the first notable save of the match with his right hand, pawing Bukayo Saka’s curling left-foot shot past a post, triggering double-fisted celebrations and high-fives from teammates. The clearest first-half chance came at the other end, Watkins pulling a first-time shot wide. Leon Bailey pickpocketed Gabriel in the Arsenal defence, the bustling, hustling Morgan Rogers flicked the ball to Watkins, in on goal close to the penalty spot, but the striker elected to take the ball with his right foot when his left appeared the better option and he dragged his shot wide. Rogers surged past five black Arsenal shirts approaching the interval and levered a teasing cross into the box but an alert Raya extinguished the danger.
Rogers was surely among those who caught the eye of the watching England interim manager, Lee Carsley, the former Birmingham City midfielder who could be forgiven for wanting to go under the radar. It remains to be seen whether Ben White declares himself available for selection.
The first half was not teeming with quality but there was certainly entertainment, a slapstick moment in the 34th minute after the imposing William Saliba tailgated Watkins to the corner flag prompting the referee, Michael Oliver, to intervene. Saliba came out on top but John McGinn rifled the loose ball straight at the Arsenal defender, at least able to disguise the action as a clearance. White did not take kindly to McGinn winding Saliba and rushed in to boot the ball straight at McGinn, sparking a melee.
Watkins will wonder how he departed on 65 minutes without a goal to his name. After Onana’s side-footed shot bounced back off the crossbar, the England striker’s header was too close to the goalkeeper, allowing Raya his moment. Watkins will think he should have rippled the net, by whichever means. Emery placed his hands on his head, Raya gestured for calm. It was easy for him to say.
Villa kept pressing, Rogers going close after another superb driving run and later so did Ezri Konsa, unmarked at a free-kick. Arteta expected nothing less, given Villa are the only Premier League team to have beaten Arsenal this calendar year.
Arsenal equally did not relent. Arteta introduced Trossard in place of Gabriel Martinelli and two minutes later the Belgian was being mobbed by his teammates. Saka cut the ball back from the goalline, Rogers and Havertz contested the ball and it ran through perfectly to Trossard who coolly did the rest, sweeping the ball into the bottom corner.
Partey made sure of victory, his whipped shot – also struck first time – too powerful for Martínez to keep out with his left glove. Saka was again the provider, nudging the ball inside to Partey. The travelling Arsenal supporters went berserk. Presumably they sensed even this early in the season this was a win that, while not flawless, was a significant takeaway.
