Arsenal avoid a repeat of last season' heartbreaking loss at Aston Villa with Mikel Arteta admitting the hurt had motivated Monday night's performance
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal made it two wins from two at Villa Park
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal made it two wins from two at Villa Park
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Mikel Arteta hailed a “massive win” and then revealed Arsenal were fired up by last year’s heartbreak. The Gunners lost at Villa Park last season when Emiliano Buendia got a last-gasp winner to leave Arsenal shell-shocked.
But the reigning champions made it two straight wins and a perfect start to the defence of their title thanks to Bukayo Saka’s second half goal.
Arsenal boss Arteta said: “Really happy, it's a massive win. It's a tough place to come and earn three points. I think we deserved it. We had a great performance. I know how tough it is to win here. Every big team has struggled against them because they are so good.
"I always trust my players. The level depends on the moment as well. Last year, we lost here in a really difficult way. That was still in the tummy. Last year was the same, we know how difficult it is to earn points in this league."
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Arteta brought on Ezri Konsa against his old club to a mixed reception while Eberechi Eze came on at half time to change the game.
"Ebs creates the action that wins us the game. Ezri, as well, really composed and really calm with every decision he made. I'm really happy with all of them,” said Arteta.
Arteta admitted that Arsenal could still move in the market on deadline day after effectively turning his phone off before Villa. He added: “I disconnected for a day. My focus had to be on the game, we have the right people at the club to look after that."
Saka said: “Very very tough game. It's not easy coming here, we knew that, and they made it hard for us so it feels great to come out with the win.
Emi Buendia scored a dramatic late winner in this fixture last season
Emi Buendia scored a dramatic late winner in this fixture last season(Image: PA)
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“One goal is normally enough for us because we're so solid at the back. Once we got the first, we could have got the second. We had two penalty shouts that didn't go our way.”
Villa lost without a shot on target and did not manage one in their opener at Brighton either after a big summer of change.
Boss Unai Emery said: “To lose one match is painful, but we must try to get positive things. There are 38 matches, we have played two and have no points, but hopefully we can get better. We can feel confidence because the way we want to build a team is by competing like today.”
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