Arsenal tightened their grip on fourth spot in the Premier League as Bukayo Saka's first-half strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Match Report
Arsenal dominated the first half and could have been ahead before Saka scored on the half hour mark. The England international is shining in Mikel Arteta's side and put in a great performance at Villa Park and his long-range effort, which flew past the helpless Emiliano Martinez in goal, sums up the form he's in at the moment.
Saka was also on the receiving end of tough challenge from Jacob Ramsey, who was lucky to only pick up a yellow card. It was a match with a few hard challenges flying in and various players going into the book.
Philippe Coutinho, who has been sensational in recent weeks for Steven Gerrard's side, was unable to shine as his side struggled throughout.
Villa tried to put some pressure on the visitors in the last 15 minutes, but Arsenal held the ball well and defended resolutely when the home side tried to hit them on the counter attack, with Martin Odegaard standing out with his defensive work from midfield.
This result leaves Arsenal in a strong position going into the final stretch of the season as they look to finish in the Champions League places.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' Rowe's shot over the bar
9' Partey's shot too straight
14' Yellow Card! Ramsey booked
29' GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal (Saka)
32' Yellow Card! Mings booked
46' Yellow Card! Xhaka booked
48' Rowe's long shot stopped
61' McGinn's shot wide out
68' CLOSE! Watkins hits the post
85' Ings' header over the bar
Line-ups
Aston Villa XI: Young, Coutinho, E. Martinez, McGinn, Mings, O. Watkins, Buendia, Ngoyo, M. Cash, Douglas Luiz, J. Ramsey
Subs: Traore, R. Olsen, Ings, Chambers, Sanson, Bailey, C. Chukwuemeka, Tim Iroegbunam, Tommi O'Reilly
Arsenal XI: Lacazette, Leno, Xhaka, Cedric, Partey, Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel, B. White, Smith Rowe, Saka
Subs: M.Elneny, Pepe, Holding, Nketiah, A. Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, A. Okonkwo, Z. Swanson, O. Hutchinson
BoyRolly
387
Man U be like when will arsenal stop winning πππ
ola_wealth
281
π« The PFA Young Player of the Year award will go to the magnificent Bukayo Saka. Phenomenal footballer. Starboy βͺοΈπ΄ & If you see him as the best talent in the world put β₯οΈ.
chaliverr
216
I will not be surprised this season if arsenal overtakes Chelsea in 3th place
Nandha77
156
How To Celebrate your 10th Goal Of the Season πΊ The Starboy of Arsenal...π΄
TiFe10
139
Tired of all the disrespect on Leno. Congratulations on the cleansheet, Berndβ€οΈ
Jamirl
130
Saka has now scored Arsenal's 2000th epl goal the only third successive club to do so
Jamirl
104
Saka now has 15 G/A involvement for the second consecutive season running
Ageerjok
92
Manchester United fans to Aston Villa: What's the meaning of this? ππ
Jamirl
89
Anytime arsenal wins always endeavour to check up on man u fans [Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
pynmarbz
73
meanwhile Man utd, Tottenham and West Ham be like it's our not your ππ
Pokdelop
67
Man United be like
Deuces4
60
Watching arteta today reminds me of pep! Honestly he learnt a lot from him! And Iβm really proud how much he as improved arsenal and also the board for trusting him
RawBeen2K20
48
Mikel Arteta surely deserves a Nobel prize award if Arsenal qualifies for Champions League with Lacazette as a striker...ππ₯΄π€£π
basically
40
The GIF is already here, my pleasure: https://bit.ly/3JuWZlR
wesarsuyz
31
Call him small boy at your own peril.
GideonAT
27
Arsenal have started learning champions league Anthem
buheimoy
14
Thomas Partey Against Aston villa
Elijay
8
1-0 win in eight games is better than 8-0 win in one game - klopp