This one was personal, even if Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said otherwise. In the run up to the match, comparisons between Arteta and the Aston Villa boss, and former Gunners manager, Unai Emery were rampart, especially after Villa pulled off the double against Arsenal last season. The discourse around the two Spanish managers has gotten extremely toxic, with most of the dissenters arguing Emery is better because of his trophy cabinet. They also blame the Arsenal board for the poor recruitment and lack of funds available as to why he wasn’t successful in North London.

Sure, Emery has won the UEFA Europa League 4 times and the French league once, but hasn’t done a whole lot in the Champions League or won La Liga or the Premier League itself. He’s a solid manager, who gets the most out of his guys, but doesn’t have the ceiling that Mikel Arteta has. While its true the current Arsenal manager hasn’t won a ‘major’ trophy yet, so questions persist over his viability to develop into a top, top manager who wins at the highest levels. It does feels like he’s on the right track and only a matter of time until he wins a major trophy.

Arsenal went to Villa Park and beat Aston Villa 2-0 via goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey, both assisted by Bukayo Saka. It was a tough, physical and combative game with moments of strong play on both sides, sandwiched between wild, end-to-end action. Aston Villa generated the best chance in the first half after Gabriel Magalhães was dispossessed and went to ground looking for a foul. Referee Michael Oliver didn’t blow his whistle, so Morgan Rodgers, Villa’s most dangerous player today, dribbled into the box and found Ollie Watkins, who missed spectacularly. In fact, he didn’t even get his shot on target, which is crazy because he took it from just left of the penalty spot! The other very good Aston Villa chance happened early in the 2nd half when Amadou Onana shot from the top of the box and it deflected off an Arsenal player to rattled the post. The ball flew back into play, right into the path of Ollie Watkins, who thought he was going to score a header, but David Raya was able to scramble back to his feet quickly, track the ball and swat it away with his left-hand. A stunner of a save! The Villains generated a couple of other half chances throughout the match but nothing as good as these two opportunities.

As for the Gunners performance, it was a solid team effort in a very hostile environment. Mikel Arteta went with the same starting XI, as he did against Wolves, except for swapping out left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko for Jurrien Timber. This proved to be a good choice as Timber gave the Gunners a more defensive presence, while also being a good dribbler and having a thirst to advance the ball forward. Timber, unfortunately, wasn’t able to finish the game, so Riccardo Calafiori subbed on and made his Arsenal debut. In his short cameo he got into it with a couple of Aston Villa player who took exception to his physical play against former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. At that point the Villains were down 2-0, so frustration took over and they lost their cool resulting in some pushing and shoving. I have a feeling Calafiori will be involved in more dust-ups in the future due to his aggressive nature. The rest of the backline, William Saliba, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhães, were good, especially Saliba who made a couple of key interceptions and broke up play multiple times. He’s one of the best defenders in the world. Kudos to Ben White for coming to his teammates aid after Villa’s John McGinn viciously and unnecessarily kicked a ball into Saliba’s stomach, as he was laying on the ground in pain. White noticed the bullshit and kicked the ball right back at McGinn.

The midfield trio was again solid with Thomas Partey leading the way. He isn’t as athletic as he once was but he can sure pick a pass, read the game defensively and take the occasional long-range shot. No one is doubting his talent, just his health as he’s missed plenty of games over the past year or two. He and Martin Ødegaard know to drop deep and provide an outlet for the defense, a very underrated and useful skill in building out from the back.

Ødegaard displayed his usual amazing close-control dribbling, play-making and desire to lead the high-press. He even had a great chance to score but slashed the shot high over the bar.

Declan Rice was OK and it still feels like he’s a little jaded after such a long summer with England. Getting him back to the levels he was performing at last season is a must for Arteta. He’s such an important ingredient to the success of the team.

The one worrying trend is how easily a quick, athletic, ball-carrying midfielder can glide right past, basically, everyone in the Arsenal midfield. For example, Morgan Rodgers, right before halftime, ran through the middle of the park and had Declan Rice on skates and turned around before letting loose a shot. It’s something Mikel Arteta will have to keep an eye on.

Bukayo Saka was the hub of the offense once again. Anytime he received the ball he was in attack mode forcing the Aston Villa defenders to kick him, double team him and play him with extra physicality Even with these under-handed tactics, Saka was still able to stamp his imprint on the game to the tune of 2 assists.

Super-sub Leandro Trossard proved his worth once again. He came on for an ineffective Gabriel Martinelli and immediately scored a superb goal. He also made the pass to Saka who then passed it to Partey who himself shot it past Emi Martínez for the 2nd goal. A hockey assist for the Belgium. He’s in good form and might start against his former club Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.

It’s been a slow start to the season for Gabriel Martinelli, who’s started both matches but hasn’t been productive. He’s really good at getting past his defender and tracking back on defense but lacks the cutting edge decision-making in the final third. So many players are quality in the other parts of the park yet once they get close to goal they are like a deer in headlights. It sure seems like Martinelli is destined to go this way. I desperately hope I’m wrong.

Kai Havertz led the line again and performed OK. He wasn’t able to drop deep, receive the ball and find the runners, as Aston Villa did a good job closing him down quickly and cutting off the passing angles. Not many crosses came his way inside the box either. And the one memorable shot he took went very wide. Although, Havertz didn’t let the lack of touches affect his effort levels, as he pressed Aston Villa hard to the very end.

I’m not going to lie, it felt good to ruin Aston Villa’s home opener like they ruined Arsenal’s title hopes last season. But, I’m a fan and can act a little emotional and irrational. Mikel Arteta needs to remind the team it cannot sustain a title challenge on will, emotion and vindictiveness alone, as those traits burn out quickly, and this is a very long, like months long, competition that requires everyone to remain cool, calm and collected. Like Michael Corleone said in The Godfather, “it’s not personal, it’s strictly business.”