Bukayo Saka Strikes as Arsenal Beat Aston Villa 1-0 to Maintain Perfect Start

Arsenal moved to six points from their opening two league games after a narrow 1-0 win away at Aston Villa, with Bukayo Saka's second-half strike proving the difference.

The breakthrough came when Riccardo Calafiori pulled the ball back from the byline into space, and Saka had the simple job of turning it into an unguarded net. Remarkably, it was the first time all match that either side had actually tested the goalkeeper directly.

Villa were arguably the sharper side for large parts of the first half. Emiliano Buendia rattled the crossbar with a strong effort, and there was a case that even if it had gone in, the goal might not have stood due to an earlier foul in the move.

The game briefly swung Arsenal's way when referees pointed to the spot after Ian Maatsen brought down Saka inside the area. That decision didn't survive contact with VAR, though, once replays showed the challenge actually happened just outside the box. Arsenal had to settle for a free-kick instead.

Villa's new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, making his debut for the club, was called into action again later on to deny Kai Havertz as Arsenal pushed for a second to settle the contest.

There was also a personal subplot in the second half, as Arsenal introduced Ezri Konsa off the bench for his first appearance since leaving Villa, a move that Villa's own fans applauded warmly.

For Mikel Arteta's side, the win keeps their perfect start intact, leaving them on six points from their opening two games. For Aston Villa, it's now back-to-back losses to open the campaign, an early setback for a squad still adjusting after losing a number of players from last season's group.