Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the breakthrough at Villa Park as the Premier League champions moved ahead of Aston Villa on Monday night.
The England winger struck in the 59th minute to put Arsenal 1-0 up, ending a closely contested contest and handing Mikel Arteta’s side the advantage.
Saka’s goal came as Arsenal began to impose themselves after the interval, with the champions finding the decisive moment they had been seeking against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
Arsenal were holding on to their lead late in the match, with Saka’s finish keeping their title defence on course in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
