Aston Villa vs Arsenal LIVE: Arteta offers transfer update but Rice limps off in injury concern before Chelsea showdown | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal earned Premier League champions Arsenal a narrow victory at Aston Villa, who fell to a second consecutive defeat to start the season despite an improved performance from Unai Emery’s new-look side.

Saka converted Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross as the Gunners clicked into life in attack after the break, with substitute Eberechi Eze involved in the goal after Mikel Arteta brought off Christos Tzolis at half time.

The hosts could not break Arsenal’s defence down, as Ezri Konsa made his debut for the champions following his move from Villa earlier this month, but Villa’s performance was much improved from the disastrous 4-0 defeat at Brighton last week.

Declan Rice appeared to limp off late on in the only other note of concern for Arsenal, who host London rivals Chelsea next week in an early meeting of two sides on maximum points on the third weekend of the season.

Arteta will turn his attention back to the transfer market after seeing his side make it two wins out of two with a 1-0 Premier League success at Aston Villa. Arteta is keen to add some attacking depth, with the Gunners linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.