MY ACCOUNT
Arsenal tightened their grip on fourth place in the Premier League thanks to Bukayo Saka’s first-half strike in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa.
The Gunners’ five-match winning run was halted with defeat to Liverpool in midweek, but the Gunners made a strong response at Villa Park.
A bright start for the visitors was rewarded when Saka fired home from the edge of the box with half an hour played, bringing up Arsenal’s 2,000th goal in the competition.
Ollie Watkins skimmed the post in the second half but Arsenal, without Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Martinelli through injury and illness respectively, saw out another win.
Former Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez did well to stop Ezri Konsa putting into his own net, having earlier denied Thomas Partey, but the visitors soon found a breakthrough.
Villa failed to clear their lines and Saka’s drive from 20 yards found a way past Martinez, who saw the ball late and could not get enough contact on it to keep it out.
Emile Smith Rowe fired a tame shot at Martinez early in the second half and Arsenal were given a warning when Watkins’ shot deflected off Kieran Tierney and hit the post.
But Villa, who had lost three and won three of their previous six heading into this contest, could not seriously trouble back-up keeper Bernd Leno as Arsenal held firm.
What does it mean? Arsenal marching fourth
Arsenal had lost their last two away league meetings with Villa, but this is the type of fixture the Gunners’ current crop are making a healthy habit of winning.
Mikel Arteta’s side have now won five league away games on the spin for the first time since May 2015, leaving them in a strong position to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They are four points clear of Manchester United and six ahead of West Ham, with both rivals having played a game more than Arsenal, while Tottenham are also six points back.
Saka’s landmark strike
Saka’s strike was Arsenal’s 2,000th in the Premier League, making the Gunners the third side to reach that tally after Manchester United (2,176 goals) and Liverpool (2,002).
On a personal level, he is now level with team-mate Smith Rowe for the most Premier League goals by a player aged 21 and under this term with nine.
Coutinho’s off-day
Philippe Coutinho has often been a thorn in Arsenal’s side, the Brazilian having scored more Premier League goals against the Gunners (four) than he has managed any other side.
However, his only shot on target and the only chance he created for his team-mates both arrived in the closing stages in what was a flat performance from Villa.
Key Opta Facts:
– Arsenal have won 13 away Premier League games against Villa – against no side do they have more victories on the road in the competition (also 13 v West Ham).
– With nine games remaining, Villa have suffered as many Premier League defeats this season as they did in the entirety of last campaign (15).
– The Villans have won just one of their last six Premier League games at Villa Park (D2 L3), having won two of their first three at home under Steven Gerrard (L1).
– Arsenal have kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, their most in a league campaign since 2017-18 (also 13), last keeping more shutouts in 2015-16 (18).
– The hosts registered just a single shot on target in this game, with that coming in the 96th minute from Coutinho.
What’s next?
Arsenal return to action after the international break with a trip to Crystal Palace on April 4, while Villa travel to Wolves two days prior.
