Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper #22 David Raya dives as the ball comes back off the crossbar from a deflected shot from Aston Villa’s Belgian defender #24 Amadou Onana during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on August 24, 2024.
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David Raya was outstanding as Arsenal beat Aston Villa.
Arsenal held on for a superb, hard fought away victory over Aston Villa. The game got off to a slow start as injuries disrupted the flow, but Arsenal appeared to have the better of it and could easily have been in front when Bukayo Saka’s effort forced a superb save from Emi Martinez.
Villa then should have been in front themselves when Leon Bailey won the ball off Gabriel in front of goal before allowing Morgan Rogers to set up Ollie Watkins for a tap in. The England striker, though, somehow stroked wide. After that Villa had the slight edge as both teams traded half chances to leave the game finely poised at the break.
Not long after the restart it had seemed certain that Villa would scored when Amadou Onana’s deflected effort bounced off the bar straight into the path of Watkins. David Raya sprung up miraculously though to keep the game at 0-0.
Villa continued to look the dominant side, but somehow it was Arsenal who edged in front when Leandro Trossard fired home a low effort. The Gunners then doubled their lead when Thomas Partey’s powerful effort from the edge of the box squirmed between the gloves of Emi Martinez. Here’s how football.london rated the Arsenal players in the game.
David Raya: A world class stop to keep out Watkins’ header. Miraculous reflexes from such close range. Superb aside from that with his positioning and distribution. Arsenal have a world class ‘keeper between the sticks! 9.
Ben White: Did find himself out of position on a few occasions as Villa stretched the game. In one-vs-one duels he was decent for the most part however. 6.
William Saliba: Was visibly wound up by John McGinn’s physical approach in the first half. It did seem to affect his play a little, but he largely dealt well with Watkins runs down the channel. Superb recovering tackle to stop Ramsey late on. 7.
Gabriel: Lost possession poorly in the first half and should have been punished by Watkins. Recovered well though and was a leader particularly after Arsenal went in front. 6.
Jurrien Timber: Inverted right in to the centre circle when Arsenal were in possession. Didn’t always manage to keep Bailey quiet but was generally good in his one-vs-one defending. 7.
Thomas Partey: He keeps trying those powerful efforts from the edge of the box and this one paid off! Not always at his dominant best in the middle but a crucial contribution to a huge win. 7.
Martin Odegaard: His through ball to Saka was vital to bringing about the opening goal. Should have added a third late on with a decent chance blazed over the bar. 7.
Declan Rice: Fought a superb midfield battle with Amadou Onana and Jurrien Timber. Not always at his best in terms of screening the backline, but got forward to decent effect. 7.
Bukayo Saka: Heavily involved in the first goal with his lung busting run. Then provided the assist for the second. Again not at his most influential but crucial in the big moments. 8.
Kai Havertz: Provided the vital assist for the first goal with his outstretched foot. His pass selection had been a little off before that at times though. 7.
Gabriel Martinelli: His end product continues to be disappointing when he’s forced on to his left foot. Held on to it for too long on occasions while on the counter. His movement and running into space remains a positive though. 6.
Leandro Trossard: Scored with his first touch – a superbly taken finish to a ball that was just behind him. Then played a part in the second with his low cross. Won a game that Arsenal looked certain lose. The definition of a super sub. 8.
Riccardo Calafiori: A decent Premier League debut down the left. Wound up the home fans after a tussle with Martinez that will have endeared him to the Arsenal fans already. 7.
Reiss Nelson: Came on too late for a rating. n/a.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men’s team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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