Arsenal secured a crucial 2-0 victory against Aston Villa at Villa Park, with Leandro Trossard making an immediate impact after coming off the bench.
His first-touch goal helped the Gunners overcome their recent struggles against Unai Emery’s side.
Villa had caused Arsenal problems in previous meetings, but Mikel Arteta’s team was determined to avoid a repeat.
The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Trossard, who had just been brought on, pounced on a deflected cross from Bukayo Saka and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with his first touch.
The goal left Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez helpless.
Arsenal doubled their lead ten minutes later. Saka once again played a crucial role, sending in a low cross that eventually found Thomas Partey, who finished coolly past Martínez to secure the win.
Villa had their opportunities, most notably when Ollie Watkins was denied by a brilliant save from Arsenal’s David Raya, who clawed away the striker’s close-range header.
With this win, Arsenal now sits in third place in the league table, only behind Manchester City and Brighton on goal difference.
