A great win for the Gunners against always tricky Aston Villa side. Round nine of English Premier League opens with a confident win of Aubameyang & Co at the Emirates Stadium – final score 3-1.Arsenal are still in the process of picking themselves up after a disastrous start to the season, but a six-game undefeated streak in the Premier League has silenced some of the critics (W4, D2).Tonight’s game showed that Arsenal can control the match – not something that could be seen against Brighton beginning of the month, or against Crystal Palace last week. But this evening, it looked like they were the only team on the pitch almost the entire match.The biggest English derby is around the corner – Reds in great form while the Devil’s are notIn first half only Arsenal had 15 shots towards their former second-goalkeeper Emilio Martinez while Villa had none to endanger Aaron Ramsdale.In the 4th minute already, Bukayo Saka missed a big chance. He fired the ball high over the crossbar from inside the 6-yard box after the ball rebounded to him.Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey had a great evening and it looked as if he came out on the grass of Emirates Stadium with an agenda. In the 21st minute he rocked the crossbar with his effort but was more accurate two minutes later when he redirected the corner kick into the net with his shoulder.Thomas Partey has scored his first goal for Arsenal in his 40th appearance in all competitions, and from his 49th attempted shot for the Gunners.At the half-hour mark Saka could have doubled the lead but Martinez anticipated the shot of the young Englishman.The first half did end with the advantage heightened. Just before leaving to the dressing rooms, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to score penalty spot – Martinez anticipates his intention perfectly, however, luckily for the Gabonese, the ball ended up at his feet and it was a goal after all.Only Mohamed Salah (12) has scored more goals in all competitions for Premier League clubs this season than Aubameyang (7).Villains showed some intensity in the first couple of minutes of the second period but it was just not enough. Instead, Arsenal scored their third in the 56th minute – Emile Smith Rowe took a low shot and Martinez could have tried to react but Tyrone Mings redirected the ball just enough to trick his own goalkeeper.Villa had a colossal chance minutes after but Ramsdale showed why he has the upper hand over Bernd Leno. Visitor’s number 10 Emiliano Buendia had a great opportunity but the English goalkeeper did great to thwart the effort.In the 71st minute, Aubameyang almost scored his second as he managed to get a powerful shot away, forcing Martinez to scramble to his left and palm the ball away.In the last 15 minutes, Arsenal took the foot of the gas pedal and the guests took the advantage to score. A beautiful goal of Villa’s own youth prospect Jacob Ramsey. He collected the ball at the edge of the box and fired a first-touch shot towards the top right corner. If there was a spider between the crossbar and Ramsdale’s left post, there is none now.Villa could have scored their second goal straight after but Watkins and Bailey were not lucky enough.Gunners’ fans and Arteta leave Emirates Stadium with a smile on their faces. And all of them will return to the same place in four days as Arsenal face Leeds. Aston Villa will welcome West Ham on the last day of October.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 9Friday: Arsenal – Aston Villa 3-1 (2-0)/Partey 23, Aubameyang 45+6, Smith Rowe 56 – Ramsey 82/Saturday 14:30 Chelsea – Norwich City17:00 Crystal Palace – Newcastle United17:00 Everton – Watford17:00 Leeds United – Wolverhampton17:00 Southampton – Burnley19:30 Brighton & Hove Albion – Manchester CitySunday 16:00 Brentford – Leicester City16:00 West Ham United – Tottenham18:30 Manchester United – Liverpool
