Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa – Player Ratings as Gunners remain undefeated

By Adam Schultz

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 31, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 31, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal has won five consecutive games to start the league season after a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli either side of a Douglas Luiz strike were enough to secure three points.

Mikel Arteta made one change to the side that came from behind to defeat Fulham as Sambi Lokonga came in for Mohamed Elneny.

Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges and got their reward on the half-hour mark. After good work from Gabriel Martinelli, the Brazilian played in Granit Xhaka, who then hit his shot which Emiliano Martinez spilled, and Gabriel Jesus was there to poke home.

The dominance continued for Arsenal, but they went into the sheds 1-0 to the good. Mikel Arteta’s side had 66.1% possession and had 14 shots to two in a superb display.

Arsenal’s dominance continued in the second half as they pressed for a second goal that would kill off the game, but Villa offered a lot more going forward as the threat was there from the visitors.

Villa got their reward out of nothing. A corner from Doulas Luiz somehow made it all the way into the Arsenal goal, and the visitors were level.

Arsenal was ahead just seconds later. After good work from Saka, Gabriel Martinelli was found by the Englishman, and his shot found its way past Martinez, who will feel he should have done a lot better.

Arsenal managed to see out the remaining minutes to continue its undefeated start to the season.

Player ratings from the win over Aston Villa.

Goalkeeper and defenders

Ramsdale (GK) 6/10 – Barely had anything to do all night aside from picking the ball out of his net. Could feel a little hard done by with Villa’s goal, but overall, another solid outing.

White (RB) 7/10 – Another superb display from White. He didn’t put a foot wrong all night as he was defensively sound and was consistently overlapping down his flank. Sensational.

Saliba (CB) 7/10 – Another assured performance from Saliba. Again, he didn’t put a foot wrong and dealt with everything Villa had. What a player.

Gabriel (CB) 7/10 – Similar to Saliba, Gabriel had a good night. He was commanding and covered well when called upon—developing a good understanding with Saliba.

Tierney (LB) 6/10 – A serviceable performance from the Scottish left back. He got forward well and defended even better. Just good to see him on the pitch again.

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