BREAKING NEWS: “It was hard not to tear up watching him play for a different team. His loyalty was with Arsenal, but the board decided to sell him for their own reasons, and now we’re feeling his loss,” William Saliba said, lamenting the transfer decision Arteta made that they now regret.

Arsenal enjoyed a successful evening at Villa Park on Saturday, delivering a performance that helped ease some of the frustrations from their past encounters with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Under Mikel Arteta’s management, the team displayed qualities that suggest they could be genuine contenders for the Premier League title, although the performance wasn’t without its imperfections.

Despite their strong start, Arsenal remains cautious, aware of how similar promising beginnings in recent seasons ultimately faltered. Nevertheless, this victory is significant, especially considering that last season, the Gunners failed to earn even a single point against Villa under Emery.

This time, they took all three points, largely thanks to Leandro Trossard, who made a decisive impact after coming off the bench.

Although Trossard’s contributions were crucial, he was quick to shift the focus to goalkeeper David Raya. Raya played a pivotal role in the victory, making several critical saves, including one that left commentator Gary Neville in awe. His efforts between the posts were essential in maintaining Arsenal’s lead and securing the win.

As Arsenal fans celebrated the victory, they also had a moment to think about Emile Smith Rowe, a former Gunner who remains a fan favourite despite his departure. Smith Rowe left Arsenal during the summer transfer window and recently scored his first official goal for Fulham in their 2-1 win over Leicester City.

Although he had found the back of the net during pre-season, this strike at Craven Cottage marked his first competitive goal for his new club. His match finished just before Arsenal’s game against Villa kicked off, so it’s possible he watched his former teammates secure a 2-0 victory.

The connection between Smith Rowe and his former Arsenal colleagues was evident on social media after his goal. Despite his £34 million move to Fulham, he remains popular with his old teammates, with players like William Saliba and Bukayo Saka enthusiastically responding to his Instagram post celebrating the goal.

For Arsenal supporters, it was a weekend filled with positives: a solid win for their team and a goal from a former fan favourite. However, Mikel Arteta will keep his squad focused on the upcoming challenges, with tough fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur ahead as they look to sustain their momentum.