Arsenal player ratings vs Aston Villa: Saka secures huge 1-0 win

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 8/10 – He’s not just one of Arsenal’s best players, he’s one of the best players in the Premier League. This young man is an outstanding talent demonstrating it week upon week, even when he’s being hacked to pieces by rotational fouling every game.

Outstanding strength and courage, and took his goal expertly, with the remarkable number of fouls on him taking its toll as he was taken off with just over 20 minutes to go.

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – 5/10 – Wasn’t Lacazette’s day today. His touch was off and he didn’t pass the ball as crisply as needed. Still, his role of being physical, occupying the centre-backs and making the spaces in behind for Saka were key.

But, when the big moment came, he opted to shoot instead of laying the ball off to Odegaard in a much better position. A poor mistake.

Emile Smith Rowe (LW) – 7/10 – Really silky return to the team for Smith Rowe who added some sharpness down the left hand side for a team that had been put through their paces across the last six days.

Showed some excellent movement throughout and ran his socks off.

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