Arsenal Overshadow Man City After Winning Against Villa, Arteta Praises Reserve Players

Arsenal repeated the competition with Manchester City after defeating Aston Villa. (arsenal.com)

JAKARTA - Arsenal are again competing and overshadowing the rulers of the Manchester City standings after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the English Premier League match at Villa Park Stadium, Saturday, August 24, 2024 evening WIB. Manager Mikel Arteta did not hesitate to praise the reserve players who brought Arsenal to beat his rivals.

Arsenal and Man City's competition continues in the 2024/2025 season competition. Man City returned to the top of the standings by shifting Brighton and Hove Albion after beating promoted team Ipswich Town 4-1.

Man City's move was followed by Arsenal who picked up perfect points in the first two matches of the competition. After beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0, Arsenal won with the same score at home to Villa.

The success of winning three points makes Arsenal top with Man City and Brighton. The three teams both pocketed six points.

Only, Arsenal have the lowest goal difference so they are in third place. Meanwhile, Man City topped the standings which Brighton followed after conquering Manchester United 2-1.

Villa itself was forced to go down to the bottom for failing to add points. The result made Villa ranked 12th with the third point.

For Arsenal, the victory over Villa is very meaningful. How not, Villa, who blocked Arsenal's pace while competing with Man City last season.

In two league meetings, Villa always beat Arsenal 1-0 and 2-0 so the North London club failed to win the Premier League trophy again controlled by Man City for the fourth time in a row.

Now, Arsenal are finalizing a grudge. Despite having difficulties and not being able to score in the first half, Arsenal were able to overcome the deadlock when the match entered 67 minutes.

The Leandro Trossard striker who entered as a substitute managed to open Arsenal's victory. Trossard came in to replace Gabriel Martinelli in the 65th minute. Just two minutes later, he already put the Gunners ahead.

Then in the 77th minute, midfielder Thomas Partey solidified Arsenal's lead to 2-0. The score lasted until the end of the match which made Arteta feel satisfied. He was quoted as saying by Irish Examiner not hesitate to praise Trossard's performance.

"It must be admitted that we had difficulties for the first 10 to 12 minutes in the second half. But Leandro managed to change the match. He did have the ability to do it. His final finish was extraordinary," said Arteta.

"He always does well every time he was taken down as a substitute last season. Now, he makes me dizzy [because I have the opportunity to start]," he said.

"We can also find a way to win because the team is showing the best abilities and can understand the game better, especially after entering the 25th minute of the second half," he said further.

However, Arteta admits Villa is a difficult opponent to beat. They have a solid defense. Moreover, former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had shown his best performance. Only the Argentine national team goalkeeper had to concede two goals.

Villa is also not without resistance. Appearing at home to yourself, The Villans, who relied on England striker total Watkins, tried to press Arsenal's defense. However, Unai Emery's team failed to meet the target.

"We were surprised by the way Villa defended. But we ended up winning," said Arteta. "We created many chances, but Watkins also had the chance to score. But his chances were thwarted by David [Raya]," he said further.

After defeating Villa, the Gunners played two important matches. They host Brighton who were on fire when they started the competition, August 31, 2024.

Furthermore, on September 15, 2024 or after the international break, Arsenal visited another neighbor, Tottenham Hotspur, in the duel of The North London Derby aka Derby London Utara.