Bukayo Saka’s second half goal gave Arsenal a hard fought 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Monday, maintaining the defending champions’ flawless start to the Premier League season. The win marked a significant milestone for manager Mikel Arteta, who reached his 250th league game in charge of the Gunners.
Arsenal have now won their opening two fixtures without conceding a single goal. It’s a statement of intent from last season’s title winners, who defeated Coventry 3-0 in their opener before silencing Villa on the road. Saka, who also scored in the season’s first match, once again proved decisive for the North London club.
With this victory, Arteta became just the 10th manager to reach 250 games with a single Premier League club. He now boasts the fourth best win percentage among that elite group, trailing only Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp. The Spaniard remains the longest serving current Premier League manager, having transformed Arsenal into a defensive powerhouse renowned for their organizational excellence.
What’s next for the champions? Arsenal face London rivals Chelsea on Sunday in what promises to be their first serious test of the campaign, with both sides having won their opening matches. The only concern for Arteta was midfielder Declan Rice, who limped off late in the contest.
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