Leandro Trossard scored with his first touch after coming off the bench, inspiring Arsenal to a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Arsenal substitute made an immediate impact at Villa Park, breaking the deadlock for Mikel Arteta’s team, who had struggled to find a breakthrough.
Trossard’s composed finish came midway through the second half, followed by a late goal from Thomas Partey—courtesy of a blunder by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez—securing Arsenal’s second consecutive win. This win marks a strong start for Arsenal in their quest to win the Premier League title, offering a moment of redemption for the north London club.
Last season, Arsenal’s title ambitions suffered a significant setback with a 2-0 home defeat to Villa in the final weeks and a loss at Villa Park, causing them to finish just two points behind champions Manchester City. Having finished as runners-up to City for the past two seasons, Arsenal are determined to capture their first title since 2004.
Following an easy 2-0 victory against Wolves in their opening match, Arteta was likely encouraged by his team’s resilience in a tough win over Villa.
“We had to shift momentum. There was a 10-minute period where we lost rhythm and they were on top. They had a big chance, and David Raya made an incredible save. That was the game’s magic moment,” Arteta remarked.
“Villa adopted a more defensive approach than we anticipated, but we adapted, and the team showed a lot of courage. When individuals were needed, they stepped up, and that’s why we won the game.”
Villa’s 2-1 victory at West Ham last weekend was an ideal start to a season that marks their first Champions League campaign since 1982-83. However, this defeat served as a reality check for Unai Emery’s side, who aim to replicate last season’s top-four finish.
“We had opportunities to score and even had better chances than they did. If we score one, we might win the match,” Emery stated. “There’s still work to be done. I accept the result because we are sticking to our approach and trying to improve. The players will stay calm.”
Bukayo Saka forced an early save from former Arsenal goalkeeper Martinez, cutting in from the right to unleash a low shot that the Argentine managed to push away at full stretch.
Ollie Watkins squandered a golden chance to put Villa ahead after Gabriel Magalhaes was caught off guard by Leon Bailey. With only Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to beat, Watkins inexplicably sent his shot wide from six yards, leaving Emery in disbelief.
Highlighting Arsenal’s much-discussed need for another forward, Kai Havertz missed from close range after Gabriel Martinelli set him up. Villa seemed poised to break the deadlock in the second half when Amadou Onana’s deflected shot bounced down off the bar to Watkins. Despite having a clear shot on goal, Watkins’ header lacked precision, allowing Raya to make a brilliant save and keep the score level.
Martinez made an equally impressive save moments later, diving at Saka’s feet to deny the Arsenal winger after he latched onto Martin Odegaard’s pass. Villa defender Ezri Konsa volleyed narrowly wide of the far post, but it was Trossard who struck the decisive blow in the 67th minute.
Saka delivered a cross from the touchline just before the ball could go out of play, and when Morgan Rogers challenged Havertz in the area, Trossard pounced on the deflection to calmly slot the ball past Martinez from ten yards.
Martinez had no chance with that one, but he was at fault in the 77th minute when Partey received Saka’s pass and fired a low shot that slipped past the Argentine’s weak attempt at a save.
Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma regained favor with manager Ange Postecoglou by scoring a superb goal that sparked a 4-0 rout of Everton. Postecoglou reinstated Bissouma following a one-game suspension for posting a social media video showing him inhaling nitrous oxide.
“You know what it’s like when you punish your child, and they behave perfectly for the next two days?” Postecoglou said regarding Bissouma’s return.
The Mali international made the most of his reprieve, scoring his first league goal for Tottenham in his 52nd appearance with a powerful strike from the edge of the area in the 14th minute.
Son Heung-min doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 25th minute, capitalizing on an error by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who was dispossessed by the South Korean for an easy finish.
Cristian Romero headed in Tottenham’s third goal in the 71st minute, and Son added his second with a clinical strike six minutes later.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui secured his first victory in charge as second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen earned a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Alex Iwobi’s 70th-minute goal clinched Fulham’s 2-1 win against Leicester at Craven Cottage, following Emile Smith Rowe’s first-half opener for the hosts, which was equalized by Wout Faes.
Nottingham Forest claimed a 1-0 victory at Southampton, thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal in the 70th minute.
