Arsenal made it a 100% start to the season as they showed patience to come through against a resilient Aston Villa.
Despite the raft of new faces in the Villa team, Unai Emery's side were typically stubborn and made sure the defending champions had to work for the three points.
Bukayo Saka's scuffed finish just before half time proved enough as Arsenal made it two wins from two.
Here's how ESPN rated Mikel Arteta's side.
Manager rating (out of 10)
Mikel Arteta, 8 -- Credit to the coach for showing patience throughout and making sure Arsenal continued to play their usual style. The decision to take off new boy Christos Tzolis at half time was a bold one and showed that Arteta needed something more in attack for the second half.
He showcased Arsenal's depth when he brought on Mikel Merino and on 70 minutes, offering up an example of how the team is more versatile for the coming season. The big question is why he continues to persist with Havertz who again struggled in attack.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)
GK David Raya, 7 -- Little to do in terms of saves but his passing and general distribution was impressive.
RB Ben White, 7 -- Lacked by way of attacking threat, there were none of his usual overlapping runs, but he was solid in defence and made sure Villa's wide men had no joy.
CB Cristhian Mosquera, 8 -- Once again strong in defence and made sure Arsenal continue to not miss William Saliba. The Spaniard also used the ball well and kept things simple.
CB Gabriel Magalhães, 8 -- Typically dominant at the back and shut out any trouble assertively. Remained a threat in the opponents penalty area too and he could've scored early on with a chance he header over the bar.
LB Riccardo Calafiori, 8 -- Brilliant play for Saka's goal to get in behind the Villa backline then slide a pass across. Made sure he was a constant threat in Arsenal's build-up play with his movement and smart drifting across the frontline.
CM Martin Ødegaard, 6 -- Quiet in midfield aside from a few tidy passes, failed to really get Arsenal in behind Villa and didn't really increase the intensity to the required level.
CM Declan Rice, 7 -- Typically dominant in midfield and helped Arsenal keep momentum throughout while also making key interceptions. Typically dangerous with his delivery from set pieces and also swung in some inviting crosses in general. The fact he limped off will be a cause for concern.
CM Myles Lewis-Skelly, 8 -- Continues to look very comfortable in midfield and reacts well when facing pressure on the ball. Kept it simply, tidy but always made sure he kept Arsenal ticking.
RW Bukayo Saka, 7 -- Very sharp to make the move in the penalty area to give Arsenal the lead and showed his striker instincts.
ST Kai Havertz, 3 -- A weak, invisible performance that will cause Arsenal fans serious concern given the transfer window is about to shut. Havertz lacked the presence and determination to threaten Villa and was easily bounced off the ball on several occasions. The German has been at the club long enough now but still doesn't fit the bill to lead the attack.
LW Christos Tzolis, 3 -- A bump back down to earth after an impressive Premier League debut. The Greek winger couldn't get in to the game and struggled to deal with the pace and intensity Villa offered. Rightfully taken off at half-time.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes = no rating)
Mikel Merino, (on 70 for Ødegaard), 7 -- Some good touches and imposed himself immediately after coming on.
Eberechi Eze (on 46, Tzolis), 7 -- Very good in the build up to Arsenal's goal and showed some other nice touches.
Bruno Guimarães (on 70 for Lewis-Skelly), 7 -- One particularly brilliant pass that nearly helped Arsenal a second, added some power in Arsenal's forward play.
Ezri Konsa (on 78 for Mosquera), NR
MartÃn Zubimendi (on 85 for Rice), NR
