Superstar Saka, Perfect Partey: 5 Talking points from Arsenal's 1-0 win over Aston Villa | EPL 2021/22
Having lost both their previous games, this match offered Aston Villa and Arsenal the chance to go into the international break on a positive note. This was a chance for Mikel Arteta’s men to erase their valiant loss against Liverpool and show their top 4 rivals they’re still in the driving seat.
After a very dominant start, Arsenal would capitalize on their period of sustained pressure with a Bukayo Saka strike from the edge of the box. From the 30th minute on, Arsenal never looked like losing as they managed the game superbly.
The victory leaves Mikel Arteta’s men rooted in fourth, four points clear and with a game in hand. Life is good in the red side of North London!
Here are five talking points from Aston Villa 0-1 Arsenal
#5 the Leno-Martinez derby
It can be argued that if it wasn’t for a Neal Maupay foul on a certain German keeper back in 2020, Lionel Messi wouldn’t have won an international trophy yet.
The chain of events since that moment in Brighton has changed the course of several careers, none more so than Emi Martinez. The keeper spent over 10 years in North London, making only 38 appearances for the Gunners, with 23 of those coming after Leno’s freak injury.
Ramsdale and Leno have wins against Martinez this season https://t.co/K4kwHJOFL4
Today, in unexpected circumstances, the duo clashed once again. Before the game, Aaron Ramsdale was ruled out with a hip injury, meaning Leno was given his first league start since August last year.
The German didn’t disappoint as he put in an assured and composed performance, giving the Gunners another clean sheet. His final save of the game secured all three points and the embrace he received from his teammates said it all.
#4 Aston Villa looked toothless in attack
Despite being in relatively decent form under Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa barely put up a fight today. The Gunners limited Gerrard’s men to just one shot on target and there were zero big chances created.
"I thought certain individuals lacked belief."
"I'm emotional in interviews, I care, I don't like getting beat."
Steven Gerrard gives and honest assessment of Villa's struggles against Arsenal, and clears the air with @TheDesKelly... https://t.co/E1mzOFpHND
It was only in the final ten minutes of the game that the Villans started to apply some sort of sustained pressure. But the second Mikel Arteta threw on Rob Holding, the game was done. Aston Villa were toothless but that’s because their dentists were Arsenal.