Arsenal retained its spot as the Premier League’s fourth best team with a crucial win away to Aston Villa.
Bukayo Saka was the key player in today’s match filled with drama as his 30th minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The Gunners have now gone four points clear ahead of rivals Manchester United with two games in hand.
After the break, Villa improved greatly and were very close to scoring when Ollie Watkins’ deflected shot hit the outside of the post before substitute Danny Ings sent a looping header onto the roof of the net.
Upon Arsenal’s victory at the final whistle, there was joy and jubilation in the air. It became apparent that this result was very significant because Arsenal had been looking to be back in the Champions League for five years.
The game was a lopsided victory based on the first-half performance, which came with some solid defending in the second half.
Playing up on the attacking side, Saka gave a stellar performance during the opening 45 minutes and consistently found ways to go through 39-year-old Ashley Young who replaced the injured Lucas Digne.
The goal came from a quickly taken free-kick that caught Villa out down the right, with Cedric’s cross only cleared to Saka at the edge of the box, who fired home through a crowd of players for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.
Arsenal tired after the break which allowed Villa to get more of a grip on the game, but they prevented the home side from having a shot on target until the final minute of stoppage time, when Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick was pushed away by Bernd Leno.
Up next for Mikel Arteta’s arsenal is Crystal Palace, another away for the Gunners to further cement their place in the top 4.
Player of the match
Saka
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