Aston Villa and Arsenal went all out on the second weekend of the Premier League season, with the Gunners securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory.
Leandro Trossard came on as a substitute to score for the visitors after they had been second for much of the game, before Thomas Partey added his second for Mikel Arteta and co.
The result means the Gunners now have two wins from two games to match their last season’s rivals Manchester City as they bid to finally overcome the champions and win their first Premier League title since 2004.
They overcame one of their first hurdles on Saturday to win despite having few notable players in the competition.
Mail Sport’s ISAAN KHAN gives his player ratings from Villa Park as Arsenal beat Aston Villa.
Leandro Trossard (centre) came off the bench to score a crucial goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Saturday
Thomas Partey (left) added a second in the second half to put the game beyond Villa’s reach
Arteta’s team have won both games this season without conceding a goal
ASTON-VILLA (4-2-3-1)
Emi Martinez: 5.5
Made a top save to deny Saka early in the game, only to have his hard work undone by Partey’s goal, which he got a helping hand with but let into the net.
Matty Cash: 6
Only lasted 16 minutes due to injury. A frustrating evening for him.
Ezri Konsa: 6.5
Kept Havertz at bay for much of the game and a free kick cross went just wide of the post. Too bad he conceded two goals.
Pau Torres: 6
Was used by Partey as a shield for the second goal. Kept in the game but was put off after the first goal was in.
Lucas Digne: 6
Sometimes the target of the opposition in midfield battles. But helped by the players around him.
Amadou Onana: 7
After just two minutes, Timber rattled him but he brushed it off and put in a solid display. A motor in the Villa midfield. His deflected shot hit the crossbar.
Youri Tielemans: 6.5
Complemented Onana well and laid the foundation for much of his team’s success.
Emi Martinez undone his hard work with an error, allowing him to score Arsenal’s second goal
Amadou Onana meanwhile hit the crossbar and was a driving force in Villa’s midfield throughout the match.
Leon Bailey: 6.5
Provided an outlet for his other teammates to enter the area. Attempted a cheeky chip on Raya.
John McGinn: 6.5
Ready for battle and a thorn in the opponent’s side. Never been afraid, as shown by shooting the ball to Saliba while he was on the ground.
Morgan Rogers: 7
His dribbling ability and eagerness to break the lines forward stretched Arsenal. Provided Ollie Watkins with the ball, after Gabriel’s mistake, which should have been a goal.
Ollie Watkins: 7
Will still wonder how he left this match without a goal. Should have scored after 25 minutes with a simple chance one on one with Raya, but he shot wide. Villa’s biggest attacking hope.
SUBSTITUTE
ROSS BARKLEY: N/A
JHON DURAN: 6
KOSTA NEDELJKOVIC: 6
IAN MAATSEN: N/A
JACOB RAMSEY: 6.5
Manager – UNAI EMERY: 6
Will be disappointed that nothing comes of the game despite the chances his team created.
Ollie Watkins missed two great chances to score but remains Villa’s main attacking threat
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya: 7
Reflex save to stop Ollie Watkins’ diving header from yards out after 55 minutes was special. One of the standout moments of the game.
Ben Wit: 6.5
He was able to defend the right flank well and occasionally joined the final third. His overlap in the first half could have been more if his teammates had been there.
Willem Saliba: 6.5
Struggled physically with Ollie Watkins throughout the match. Was overcome in some duels but did not give up in an important battle for both sides
Gabriel: 6
His uncharacteristic error after 25 minutes, when Leon Bailey denied him the ball, should have resulted in a goal against him. It was lucky that Amadou Onana’s shot, which deflected off the Brazilian, bounced off the crossbar.
Jurrien Timber: 6.5
Looked strong and confident in his first league start in a year due to injury. Liked to occupy space in the middle of the pitch.
Martin Odegaard: 7.5
Switched gears in the second half and became the focal point of Arsenal’s attacks. Played some clever balls through the channels. It was Odegaard’s reverse pass that led to Leandro Trossard’s goal.
David Raya made a sensational reflex save to keep Watkins off the ball in the second half when the England player looked to have scored
Raya, who secured his second clean sheet in as many games this season, provided one of the most striking moments of the match
Thomas Partey: 7
An improved performance from last week, his distribution helped control the tempo of the game and finished it off with a goal.
Declan Rice: 8.5
Solid all-rounder. Created great chances for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli with intricate passes through the back line and followed back when needed.
Bukayo Saka: 6.5
Denied by Emi Martinez in the 16th minute, and foiled by him one-on-one in the second half, although Saka’s cross deflected into Trossard’s path for his goal.
Kai Havertz: 6
Lacked the killer instinct in the attacking phases. Had a good chance on the switch to provide a crucial cross after 34 minutes but it was thwarted.
Gabriel Martinelli: 6.5
Tried to cross a few times. The effort was there, the execution could have been better.
Declan Rice (right) was the star player and created good chances for both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli
Substitutes
Leandro Trossard: 7.5
Reiss Nelson: N/A
Riccardo Calafiori: N/A
Manager – Mikel Arteta: 6
Substitute Leandro Trossard scored the goal that broke the deadlock, but he will be wondering whether he should have started him instead of Martinelli.
Referee – Michael Oliver: 6
Had the match reasonably under control. Didn’t let it get out of hand.