Arsenal had a successful evening at Villa Park on Saturday, putting on a performance that alleviated some of the frustrations from their past encounters with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, the team demonstrated qualities of a side capable of contending for the Premier League title, even though the performance wasn’t without flaws.
While Arsenal is wary of becoming overly confident—given their history of strong starts in recent seasons—this win still stands as a significant achievement. Last season, the Gunners couldn’t claim a single point against Emery’s Villa. This time, however, they secured all three, largely thanks to Leandro Trossard, who made a crucial impact off the bench.
Despite his influence on the game, Trossard was quick to direct the credit towards goalkeeper David Raya. Raya played a pivotal role in the win, making several key saves, including one that left commentator Gary Neville astonished. Raya’s heroics in goal were vital in preserving Arsenal’s lead and ensuring the victory.
Amid the celebrations, Arsenal fans also had thoughts for Emile Smith Rowe, a former Gunner who remains beloved by the club’s supporters despite his departure. Smith Rowe left Arsenal this summer and recently made headlines by scoring his first official goal for Fulham in their 2-1 win over Leicester City.
Although he had previously scored during pre-season, this goal at Craven Cottage marked his first competitive strike for his new club. His match concluded just before Arsenal’s clash with Villa, and it’s possible that he watched his former teammates secure their 2-0 win.
The connection between Smith Rowe and Arsenal’s current squad was evident on social media following his goal. Despite his £34 million transfer to Fulham, he remains popular among his former teammates. This was highlighted by the enthusiastic reactions from players like William Saliba and Bukayo Saka to Smith Rowe’s Instagram post celebrating his goal.
For Arsenal fans, the weekend was full of positive moments: a strong win for their team and a goal from a former fan favourite. However, Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly keep his squad focused on the challenges ahead, with tough matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur looming as Arsenal look to maintain their momentum.
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