ARSENAL have maintained their 100 per cent record against Aston Villa on a night both goalkeepers will want to forget.
The Gunners took the lead when their former stopper Emiliano Martinez fumbled the ball out to Gabriel Jesus.
But Douglas Luiz equalised direct from a corner which Aaron Ramsdale inexplicably failed to keep out.
However, Gabriel Martinelli would have the final word a minute later as Martinez again made a blunder, failing to palm away a shot that was straight at him.
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That’s all from North London
Arsenal stand tall at the top of the table after a gutsy performance saw them continue their 100% winning run in the Premier League.
Whilst Aston Villa’s worries continue as they drop into the relegation places with high-flying Manchester City up next.
Leicester host Manchester United tomorrow evening and we will bring you all the action from the King Power Stadium.
In the meantime, don’t miss SunSport’s coverage of tomorrow’s transfer deadline day before the door slams shut at midnight!
Goodbye.
An honest Gerrard discusses future
When asked whether he had concerns about his future as Aston Villa manager, here’s what Steven Gerrard had to say:
Of course I do. I’m really honest and critical of myself. I’ll do my job the best I can do, I’ll step forward, I’ll take the responsibility in the best way I can. But if I stood here and said to you that I wasn’t concerned, I think you’d look at me as if I was from a different planet, is that right?
Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa boss
Arsenal’s next five
Having won their first five, Arsenal face Manchester United, Liverpool and bitter rivals Tottenham in their next five Premier League matches.
It’s a tricky run which should show fans exactly how far their side have come.
- Manchester United (A)
- Everton (H)
- Brentford (A)
- Tottenham (H)
- Liverpool (H)
Arteta reflects
The Gunners boss praised his side’s character to get back into the game, and is already looking ahead to Manchester United on the weekend.
Really happy with the result. It’s so tough to win in this league. I think in the first half it was one of the best we’ve played. We could have scored three, four, five.
We didn’t kill the game and in the second half it was a fight. They stretched us, played really directly and it became a transitional game.
Without really allowing them anything, one corner, we concede a goal and it’s game on again. But the team reacted incredibly well and I think we deserved to win the game.
The crowd was magnificent tonight.
We go to Old Trafford, focus on the performance, play well and earn the right to win the game.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal boss
Scores on the doors
Elsewhere in the Premier League today, Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham dropped points to West Ham:
- Bournemouth 0-0 Wolves
- Man City 6-0 Nottingham Forest
- West Ham 1-1 Tottenham
- Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Martinelli delighted with win
The match-winner gave his thoughts on his side’s performance:
We are very delighted with the result and the performance as well. We looked to keep patient and we deserved the win. We got the three points and we’re happy.
We were a bit upset [when Aston Villa scored] but we went again and got the goal.
Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal forward
When asked whether the introduction of Gabriel Jesus has made things easier, Martinelli said: “So much easier, that guy is a beast. He’s everywhere on the pitch.”
Villa’s villains
Aston Villa’s dismal start to the season continues as they drop into the relegation places with just three points on the board.
The West Midlands side have won just three of their last 16 Premier League matches.
Fingers will be pointed at manager Steven Gerrard.
.Credit: Reuters Match-winning Martinelli
Just three minutes after Douglas Luiz levelled the scores, Martinelli met Saka’s cross at the back stick to restore the Gunners’ lead and start the party in North London.
.Credit: AP FULL-TIME – Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
Arsenal’s perfect start continues!
Five wins from five.
Jesus opened the scoring, slotting home from close range after the ball fell kindly to him.
After a series of Arsenal chances went begging, Douglas Luiz stunningly scored directly from a corner kick.
Martinelli then stepped up moments later to get his side back in front and secure their 100% start.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
90+4, Nketiah has run Villa ragged since coming on.
He breezes past Mings before making room for a shot.
He can’t hit the target though, blazing the shot over the bar.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
90+2, Tomiyasu wins a crucial battle in the area and Nketiah brings Arsenal forward again.
He feels he deserves a free-kick after going down under the challenge of Konsa off the ball.
Gabriel is then in firmly on Ings to retrieve possession.
.Credit: Reuters Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
90, The board goes up for a hefty five added minutes inside the Emirates.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
89, Nketiah is too quick for everyone as he accelerates down the wing but has to slow down for his team-mates to catch up.
Smith-Rowe then slides him in, but he is sandwiched between two Villa defenders.
Martinelli then sees glory, but drags his shot well wide.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
87, Saka and Jesus make way.
Holding and Nketiah are on to help sure up the win.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
86, Bailey fires the corner in with pace, but Ramsdale stands strong to punch clear.
A foul is then given against Ramsey who was judged to have impeded the Arsenal keeper.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
85, Watkins sells Cash short and Gabriel slides in to a huge roar from the crowd.
Douglas Luiz then sees his cross blocked and Villa have another corner.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
83, Gerrard throws on Danny Ings for the remainder of the game.
Kamara makes way.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
82, Ramsdale is down clutching his hamstring.
Meanwhile, Odegaard is holding his ankle on the bench.
Worrying signs for Arsenal fans.
Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
80, Coutinho attemps to catch ramsdale out from the free-kick but the Gunners keeper is down to it well.
Odegaard wanders off to a warm reception from the Arsenal fans. Smith-Rowe is on for the final 10 minutes or so.
GOAL! – Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa
76, Martinelli puts Arsenal back in front!!!
That’s how you respond!
Martinelli started the move which found Saka on the left.
The 20-year-old then picks out Martinelli at the back post who keeps his cool to volley past Martinez.
The keeper may feel he should have done better with that one, but Arsenal fans won’t care. The Emirates is bouncing!
.Credit: Getty Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
74, Check complete, Aston Villa are level!
Douglas Luiz does exactly what he did last week and scores directly from the corner.
Watkins looked as though he might have been impeding Ramsdale at his near post but nothing doing as far as Arsenal fans are concerned.
.Credit: Reuters
Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa
73, Oh my word!
Douglas Luiz has scored, from the corner, again!
VAR are taking a look…
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
72, Ramsey drives through the midfield and plays in Bailey who smashes one at Ramsdale.
Gerrard takes the opportunity to makes some changes.
Douglas Luiz and Coutinho are on.
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
71, Cash tries to work the angle for a shot. But he blazes it well over the bar.
Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa
69, Saka does well to keep the ball alive and feeds Jesus who’s dancing feet nearly tee up a shooting opportunity. But Villa desperately clear.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
