Premier League 2019-20: 5 talking points from Arsenal's 3-2 win over Aston Villa
Last Sunday, we saw the Gunners put in perhaps their worst performance of the season thus far. Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead at Vicarage Road to draw 2-2 with the bottom-of-the-table Watford side; the Watford side that just lost 8-0 to Manchester City, might we add.
Unai Emery’s men looked to make that match a distant memory with the visit of Aston Villa. The Villans on their part came into the game looking for their second win of the campaign.
As it turned out, the Gunners were involved in a 'game of the season' contender for the second weekend in a row as they ground out a 3-2 win over an impressive Aston Villa.
Shockingly, the visitors would open proceedings as John McGinn latched onto an El Ghazi cross in the 20th minute. Just before the break, Ainsley Maitland-Niles would shockingly see red, picking up a second yellow card in the space of 41 minutes.
It was only later, well into the second half, that a 10-man Arsenal would equalize through a Nicolas Pepe penalty. But 90 seconds later, Villa would find themselves back in the lead with a Wesley poke from six yards out.
It took Arsenal until the 81st minute to equalize as Calum Chambers chipped past Tom Heaton from close range. The winner would eventually be scored by Arsenal’s main marksman Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang through an inventive free-kick.
Here are 5 talking points from Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
#5 Bukayo Saka starts
After an impressive mid-week performance against Eintracht Frankfurt, Bukayo Saka was rewarded with a starting place against Aston Villa. The 18-year-old is the third youngest player ever to start a Premier League game.
The youngster was the only shining light in a dreadful first half for the Gunners. Saka didn’t look afraid of the bright lights, as he was confident enough to play like he was still at an U23 match.
Unfortunately for him, Arsenal went down to 10 men and Unai Emery had to sacrifice one of his attackers to bring on Calum Chambers. Emery would take off the youngster at half time, bringing an end to the 18-year-old’s promising first PL start.
In his 45-minute cameo, the 18-year-old completed one successful take-on, nine passes and attempted one shot on goal, without ever looking out of place.
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