LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, celebrates their side's win with their players during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
3 talking points as Arsenal maintain 100% start with win over Aston Villa
by Adam Schultz
Arsenal secured their fifth consecutive win of the 2022/23 Premier League season as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The Gunners were full value for their victory, but again, a lack of ruthlessness nearly cost Mikel Arteta’s side for a second straight week. Arsenal burst out of the blocks and did as they pleased for the majority of the first half.
They were finally rewarded for their dominance when Gabriel Jesus pounced on an Emiliano Martinez fumble to give the Gunners the lead after the half hour mark. Heading into the latter stages of the second half, Arsenal were still the dominant side, although Villa showed better signs.
Five games. Five wins. 🖐
GET IN! 🤩#ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/CojFmLvZuR
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2022
The equaliser came in odd circumstances as Douglas Luiz whipped in a corner which directly made its way into the Arsenal goal. Aaron Ramsdale had every right to feel aggrieved as he was clearly impeded, but the goal stood.
Luckily, it only took seconds for Arsenal to restore their lead. Gabriel Martinelli got on the end of a Bukayo Saka cross as he hammered home his third goal in five games. The Gunners held on to keep their undefeated streak going, with Manchester United up next.
3 talking points as Arsenal maintain 100% start with a win over Aston Villa
The game provided plenty of talking points, and here are three.
1. Sambi Lokonga impresses
It was billed pre-game as the 21-year-old’s chance to lay down a marker on the season and show that he can be the heir to Thomas Partey.
Against Villa, Lokonga looked like the player we saw glimpses of last year. His passing range, ability to cover the ground, and keep attacking moves going were all on show in perhaps his best-ever performance in an Arsenal shirt.
Some were doubting him before the game but what a performance it was from Albert Sambi Lokonga tonight.
Proving the doubters wrong…🤩 #afc pic.twitter.com/ZBtesPmxre
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) August 31, 2022
He dominated the midfield in the first half alongside Granit Xhaka and kept things neat and tidy. The Belgian was super efficient. It looks like Partey will again be missing for Arsenal’s next game, so Lokonga will have to build on this fine performance against Steven Gerrard’s men.
It is one thing to do it against an out-of-sorts Villa, but do it at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and suddenly, the Belgian will have people talking.
Continues on next slide…
#ARSAVL</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://t.co/CojFmLvZuR">pic.twitter.com/CojFmLvZuR
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1565072820694138886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 31, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The equaliser came in odd circumstances as Douglas Luiz whipped in a corner which directly made its way into the Arsenal goal. Aaron Ramsdale had every right to feel aggrieved as he was clearly impeded, but the goal stood.</p>
<p>Luckily, it only took seconds for Arsenal to restore their lead. Gabriel Martinelli got on the end of a Bukayo Saka cross as he hammered home his third goal in five games. The Gunners held on to keep their undefeated streak going, with Manchester United up next.</p>
<h2>3 talking points as Arsenal maintain 100% start with a win over Aston Villa</h2>
<p>The game provided plenty of talking points, and here are three.</p>
<h2>1. Sambi Lokonga impresses</h2>
<p>It was billed pre-game as the 21-year-old’s chance to lay down a marker on the season and show that he can be the heir to Thomas Partey.</p>
<p>Against Villa, Lokonga looked like the player we saw glimpses of last year. His passing range, ability to cover the ground, and keep attacking moves going were all on show in perhaps his best-ever performance in an Arsenal shirt.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some were doubting him before the game but what a performance it was from Albert Sambi Lokonga tonight.</p>
<p>Proving the doubters wrong…🤩 <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://t.co/ZBtesPmxre">pic.twitter.com/ZBtesPmxre
<p>— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://twitter.com/now_arsenaI/status/1565096249191288839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 31, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>He dominated the midfield in the first half alongside Granit Xhaka and kept things neat and tidy. The Belgian was super efficient. It looks like Partey will again be missing for Arsenal’s next game, so Lokonga will have to build on this fine performance against Steven Gerrard’s men.</p>
<p>It is one thing to do it against an out-of-sorts Villa, but do it at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and suddenly, the Belgian will have people talking.</p>
<p><em>Continues on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #2 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. More injuries??</h2>
<p>The win over Aston Villa appears to have come at a cost for Arsenal. Without Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, and Mohamed Elneny, the Gunners captain was withdrawn with nine minutes remaining on Wednesday night.</p>
<p>The Norwegian did not look comfortable, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said post-game via <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1662974/Arsenal-Mikel-Arteta-Martin-Odegaard-injury-update-Aston-Villa-win-Premier-League">express.co.uk.com that the 23-year-old was in pain and would be assessed ahead of the weekend’s game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arteta on Odegaard’s injury: "He got a bad kick, and he was struggling. It was very recent so we’ll have to see over the next few hours how he recovers" <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Arsenal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Arsenal</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://t.co/xH433r1PwB">pic.twitter.com/xH433r1PwB
<p>— Gunners (@Goonerplanet) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://twitter.com/Goonerplanet/status/1565105286079283200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>August 31, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The other injury concern is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale who looked like he felt his hamstring. Although he managed to finish the game and take several goal kicks, Arteta says it is another one they will have to assess.</p>
<p>After starting the season in blistering fashion, there is a real possibility that Arsenal could be without four first-team players for the trip to Old Trafford. Yikes.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Gabriel Martinelli off to sensational start</h2>
<p>A couple of weeks ago, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/01/3-talking-points-arsenal-2-1-victory-aston-villa/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/08/15/gabriel-martinelli-finally-coming-age-arsenal/">I wrote a piece on how the Brazilian is coming of age in north London.</a> Again, on Wednesday night, Gabriel Martinelli took another giant leap in his development.</p>
<p>He was relentless and managed to get on the score sheet for the third time in five games as his blistering start to the league season continued. I also said that eventually, he could rival Bukayo Saka as Arsenal’s best winger.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/FTalentScout/status/1565098581207687168?s=20&t=7P3foJ3G26aD4c9F0THJ2w</p>
<p>Against Villa, his game had everything: Pace, power, creative skill, and his ability to cover every blade of grass and challenge every Villa defender.</p>
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<p>He was rewarded with a well-taken goal to restore Arsenal’s lead, and he is quickly becoming an essential piece of Mikel Arteta’s side.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
