Saka goal leads Arsenal to victory at Villa Park

Arsenal left Villa Park with three points on Monday night, but the manner of their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa did little to silence questions about their squad’s depth as the transfer window enters its final 48 hours. Bukayo Saka’s goal just before the hour mark sealed a hard-fought win for Mikel Arteta’s side, who remain one of the few teams with a perfect Premier League record this season. The champions were made to work for every inch at a ground where they lost last season, a reminder that Unai Emery’s rebuild at Villa Park is already taking shape.

What happened on the pitch

The visitors began brightly, probing from set pieces and controlling possession, but their clearest first-half chance came from an unlikely source. Gabriel’s mistimed header forced Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki into a smart save in the 12th minute, while Emiliano Buendía blazed a 20-yard effort against David Raya’s crossbar moments later. Christos Tzolis, introduced at half-time after a booking, nearly made an immediate impact, but it was Saka who ultimately broke the deadlock.

Arsenal’s talisman thought he had forced a penalty early in the second half, only for VAR to rule Ian Maatsen’s challenge outside the area. Minutes later, Saka forced in Riccardo Calafiori’s close-range header to settle a tight contest. Villa pushed for an equaliser late on, with debutant Nicolas Jackson testing Raya, but the Gunners held firm to claim a result that keeps them level on points with Liverpool and Manchester City.

Why this result matters now

For Arsenal, the win maintains their unbeaten start to the season, but the performance did little to dispel concerns about their attacking options. Arteta has overseen a £164 million summer spending spree, according to Mirror Football’s transfer coverage, yet the search for a creative spark on the left wing continues. Arsenal’s set-piece threat remains a key outlet, but their inability to break down a Villa side still finding its feet raises questions about their ceiling.

Villa, meanwhile, showed resilience after a chaotic opening-day defeat at Brighton, with Buendía’s near-miss a reminder of their potential under Emery. The hosts’ rebuild is far from complete, but their competitive spirit was evident. With the North Stand closed for redevelopment and capacity expanding ahead of Euro 2028, this was a statement of intent from a club in transition.

A tactical edge and a window still open

Arteta’s decision to start an unchanged side against Villa reflected confidence in his squad’s depth, but the game plan relied heavily on set pieces and Saka’s direct running. The introduction of Ezri Konsa, a former Villa defender, added steel late on, while Calafiori’s contribution underlined the manager’s willingness to experiment with his full-backs. Yet the lack of fluidity in open play suggested that Arsenal’s title defence may hinge on defensive solidity as much as attacking flair.

As the transfer window ticks toward its close, the focus shifts to whether Arteta will sanction one last move to address the left-wing void. With Liverpool reportedly interested in Konsa, the Gunners’ defensive options are under scrutiny, while the need for a creative outlet grows more pressing. The Champions League draw on Thursday will add another layer of urgency, but for now, Arsenal’s priority is securing a result without relying on last-ditch heroics.

Villa Park remains a ground where Arsenal’s rivals have struggled in recent years, and this victory, while hard-earned, does little to change that. The Gunners’ next challenge comes against a far sterner test, but for now, they can reflect on a win that keeps their title hopes alive—if only just.