Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey were on the scoresheet as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park in Gameweek 2 of the Premier League. The Gunners came into the game with their minds set on winning a resilient side that cost them the Premier League trophy last season. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa were the only team to beat Mikel Arteta’s Gunners twice – at home (1-0) and away from home (2-0) last season.
Both teams kicked off the season with wins in their opening games and fought fiercely to claim a point or three in the encounter. A slightly delayed kick-off saw the high energy from the supporting fans cheering their teams from the stands. More delays in the first half resulted from Amadou Onana and Matty Cash’s injury scare. The latter was substituted 16 minutes into the game, giving head coach Unai Emery and his Champions League-poised side something to worry about.
The visitors were the dominant side in the first fourth-five minutes, testing former employee Emi Martinez from a close and wide range, but the Argentine hero was up to the task, making crucial saves to keep the scores level. Ollie Watkins missed the best chance of the half, failing to give the home side the lead heading into the break.
The game got more intense in the second half. Man of the match David Raya pulled a great save at the other end of the pitch leading to Arsenal’s first goal of the game in the 67th minute. Substitute Leandro Trossard found the back of the net from a loose ball from Bakayo Saka with his first touch of the game. Saka was again the playmaker 10 minutes later to set up Thomas Partey for Arsenal’s second.
Arsenal have started the 2024/25 League season on a high note. They will look towards extending their lead at the League table when they face a formidable and unbeaten Brighton on Saturday.
ARSENAL AGREES ON MIKEL MERINO DEAL, MEDICALS UNDERWAY
Arsenal has reached an understanding with the Spanish side Real Sociedad to sign Mikel Merino on a permanent deal. A deal worth around £28 million was agreed on with an additional £3.5million in add-ons. The Spanish midfielder has previously accepted personal terms with the Gunners and is set to pen down a 4-year contract with the option of another year.
Mikel Merino would be Arsenal’s second major signing this summer following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. He was a crucial part of Real Sociedad’s success in La Liga last season, which prompted his call-up to the national team, to represent Spain at the Euros. The Euro 2024 winner will replace Emile Smith Rowe at central midfield and could become Arteta’s first choice with the recent uncertainty of Thomas Partey’s future at the club. Merino has played 190 La Liga games throughout his career, scoring 20 times and providing 26 assists. He brings the kind of physicality and experience Mikel Arteta’s team would need to compete for the League title and in the Champions League. His arrival would grant Declan Rice a more stable role as a No.6, relieving him of the No. 8 role he has filled in the past few months.
Arsenal is set to sell 25-year-old winger Eddie Nketiah before the end of the transfer window while also working on a loan deal for goal-keeper Aaron Ramsdale. Raya signed a permanent deal with Arsenal after an impressive season on loan from Brentford and will be the Gunner’s first-choice goal-stopper this season.
COULD RAHEEM STERLING BE HEADING TO ARSENAL?
The Gunners have been linked to former Manchester City and Chelsea star Raheem Sterling in a surprise turn of events. There has been no approach from the North London Club to their city rivals and Arsenal’s current vacancy and squad dept may not require the services of the English winger.
Raheem Sterling has been given the green light to leave Stamford Bridge after being excluded from Chelsea’s matchday squad for their first two games of the season. The signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves and Joao Felix from Athletico Madrid further threatened his position in the team. Sterling’s management raised concerns and asked about the winger’s future with the club after being left out of the matchday squad in their first Premier League game against Manchester City. Manager Enzo Maresca indicated that this situation is unlikely to improve and in a brief statement before the UEFA Conference League playoff match against Servette, he said;
“In this moment, they are training apart. The situation with them is quite clear. If they are looking for minutes, then it is better if they leave”
Most recently, Sterling was relieved of his iconic No.7 Shirt number at Chelsea and passed to new signing Pedro Neto. Alongside Romelu Lukaku, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ben Chilwell, he is part of a group of players training separately from the main squad at Cobham. Sterling is now exploring options for an exit in the final week of the transfer window and recent reports state that a move within England would be preferred. The 29-year-old is interested in remaining in London, and with his previous experience working with Mikel Arteta while he was still a player at Manchester City, there are rumors the two could potentially reunite at Arsenal.
It’s more unlikely that the North London club will opt to sign Raheem Sterling this summer, given his huge wage demands, and many options to fill his preferred role. While asked about contacting the English winger, Mikel Arteta stated;
“No. But I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional, we built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play, and how we give them support and help them. He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.”
ARSENAL’S YOUNGSTER ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING INTO FIRST TEAM
Arsenal’s England-born Nigerian wonderkid – Ethan Nwaneri could be the perfect backup replacement for Emile Smith Rowe following his move to Fulham this summer. The 17-year-old has shown he is over his peers with his remarkable experience on the pitch. His performances have quickly caught the attention of head coach Mikel Arteta who first gave him a chance to shine on the big stage in 2022. He is currently the Premier League’s youngest debutant at age 15.
Nwaneri had his most impactful run in Arteta’s team this summer. He showed his capability to exceed expectations during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the USA. Arteta featured him as either an 8 or a 10 and the youngster made the most of the minutes he was given, creating multiple chances for his teammates while helping out the defence. Many like Arsenal’s scout Joe Black are confident that Nwaneri has what it takes to thrive at the club. He has since earned a spot in Arsenal’s matchday squads against Wolves and Aston Villa and still awaits the moment he will be called upon.
UPCOMING ARSENAL FIXTURES
Arsenal vs. Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League, Saturday 31st August 2024, 12:30)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday 15th September 2024, 14:00)
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Manchester City vs. Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday 22nd September 2024, 16:30)
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Arsenal vs. Leicester City (Premier League, Saturday 28th September 2024, 15:00)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal vs. Southampton (Premier League, Saturday 5th October 2024, 15:00)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Bournemouth vs. Arsenal (Premier League, Sunday 20th October 2024, 14:00)
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Arsenal vs. Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 27th October 2024, 16:30)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
WHERE TO FIND AVAILABLE ARSENAL TICKETS
The Gunners have continued from where they left off last season in a pursuit to reclaim the English Premier League for the first time in over 20 years. Their journey has captivated fans and everyone yarns for a chance to see Mikel Arteta’s men in action. Therefore causing a surge in demand for these tickets. The good news is that you can get available Arsenal tickets for yourself and loved ones through secondary marketplaces while exploring seat maps and comparing prices for the best views across the stadiums.
