Bukayo Saka scored in the second half as Premier League champions Arsenal began their title defence with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday.
The decisive moment came in the 59th minute, when Riccardo Calafiori sent a low ball across the face of goal and Saka arrived to force the finish home from close range.
Arsenal had earlier been awarded a penalty after Saka was brought down by Ian Maatsen, but a VAR review found the foul had taken place just outside the area. The visitors were awarded a free-kick instead.
Aston Villa had threatened in the opening half, with Emiliano Buendia striking the crossbar from distance, but Mikel Arteta’s side gradually took control after the interval.
Villa introduced summer signings Zion Suzuki and Nicolas Jackson for their debuts and pushed for an equaliser, yet Arsenal’s defence held firm to secure a second successive league win.
The result leaves Arsenal with a perfect start to the campaign, while Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have suffered back-to-back defeats and are still without a shot on target in their opening two matches.
