BIRMINGHAM, England — Arsenal may be cutting it close, but should they secure a top-tier forward before the transfer window shuts, they will become the team to watch in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners showcased their trademark physicality and control in a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday, a performance bolstered by the confidence of being reigning champions and a squad depth that outmatches many competitors.
Manager Mikel Arteta demonstrated adaptability, starting with one midfield configuration and finishing with another. He substituted Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Martin Odegaard for Bruno Guimarães, Mikel Merino, and Martín Zubimendi, as Arsenal gradually dominated the match after Bukayo Saka scored the decisive goal in the 59th minute.
The goal itself was a moment of brilliance. Faced with Villa’s well-structured defense, substitute Eberechi Eze made a clever pass to Riccardo Calafiori, who skillfully maneuvered in the box before crossing the ball for Saka to finish from close range.
Saka’s goal marked consecutive Premier League matches with a goal for him; he achieved this for the first time since November 2024, highlighting his positive form moving forward. Nonetheless, Arsenal’s pursuit of a high-caliber forward, including interest in Vinícius Júnior and Bradley Barcola, remains critical as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid argue over Julián Álvarez‘s future.
It seems apparent that while Arsenal possesses significant talent, an additional star player could elevate their attacking capabilities. With just a day remaining in the transfer window, the Gunners must act swiftly to complete their forward line.
They have been presented with an opportunity to acquire Malick Fofana from Lyon, a sign that other clubs are aware of Arsenal’s pressing need for reinforcements.
Christos Tzolis has had a solid start following his £34m transfer from Club Brugge, but his performance here saw him substituted at halftime after a quiet outing that resulted in one yellow card and perhaps a bit of luck to avoid a second as he halted two Villa counterattacks.
Kai Havertz had one of his more challenging evenings, while Viktor Gyökeres — acquired last summer from Sporting Lisbon as a more potent option — was once again left on the bench, marking two consecutive matches without playing time.
Reports from Spain suggest Gyökeres may be used as part of any deal involving Atletico’s Alvarez, and he will likely feel relieved when the transfer window closes.
While Arsenal’s overall display may not have been aesthetically pleasing, it represented growth considering their previous encounter at Villa Park last season, where they suffered a last-minute defeat to Emi Buendia’s goal. Back then, they were hindered by the absence of key center-backs Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, who were unable to withstand Villa’s relentless pressure.
This time around, there was little danger of a repeat defeat, despite Villa’s persistence. Under Unai Emery, Villa remained organized but exhibited a lack of incisive attacking intent.
Villa managed seven shots, none troubling keeper David Raya. After conceding, they mustered only three shots. Aston Villa is now among the few teams in the past 20 years to begin a Premier League season without a shot on target in their first two games, mirroring Swansea City in the 2017-18 season, a squad that eventually faced relegation.
Villa’s struggles can be partly attributed to a summer overhaul that saw Ezri Konsa join Arsenal and make his debut against his former side. Equally, Arsenal has maintained its reputation as one of Europe’s top defensive teams.
In their matches against Villa and Coventry, Arsenal allowed only 11 shots and recorded a league-low expected goals (0.52) across their opening two games.
“One goal is usually sufficient for us because of our solid defense,” Saka noted succinctly.
Villa’s incoherence in front of goal is evident, and center-forward Nicolas Jackson may be lacking match fitness, making his debut just three days after a £65m transfer from Chelsea.
Yet Arsenal’s composure led to manager Arteta expressing satisfaction, particularly given the painful loss they suffered in December at Villa Park when they were crushed by Buendia’s late winner.
“That defeat still lingers in my mind, and I discussed it with the players,” Arteta said. “The image of the players on the ground, completely exhausted, was hard to forget. We used that experience to fuel our energy and conviction on the pitch, recognizing the significant challenge we faced against a successful opponent who had recently suffered a heavy defeat [4-0 at Brighton].
“You expect a reaction, and it’s a challenging venue with big matches, where they capitalize on crucial moments. We had to endure some tough moments, but we also needed to dominate, and we did that, which makes me really pleased.
“This was a markedly different experience, showcasing our maturity and strength as a team. We shifted the momentum and demonstrated leadership on the field, with players who could retain possession and create dominating phases during play and duels.”
Arsenal clearly has the qualities necessary to contend for the Premier League title once more: maturity, mentality, physicality, and a stellar defense. However, Arteta remains open to the discussion on whether the team needs one more attacking addition.
“It depends on our fitness levels,” he stated post-match. “We can assess today’s performance, but the scenario may evolve. We knew we were in trouble with Willy [Saliba] hurt, which prompted us to acquire Ezri [Konsa].
“Additionally, [Cristhian] Mosquera could not continue. We understand that having depth is crucial when competing across four tournaments while implementing our preferred style of play. We’re actively working to enhance the squad, and until tomorrow night, we’ll keep pushing for improvements. I have been focused solely on this match for the last 24 hours, but now it’s time to reconnect and address things on the transfer front.”
There’s no need for panic regarding Arsenal’s current standing, but the clock is ticking.