Arsenal boosted their chances of claiming a Champions League place as they squeezed past Aston Villa 1-0 on Saturday. Despite a dominant display in the Midlands, one goal was all it took for the Gunners to claim three points, Bukayo Saka proving to be the match-winner.
The Hale End academy graduate fired in a fantastic effort from the edge of the area for what was his ninth goal of the Premier League season so far. The win now sees Mikel Arteta’s men strengthen their grip on fourth place as they now sit four points clear of Manchester United with a game in-hand.
With all of that being said, football.london takes a look at how the national media reacted to the win at Villa Park.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka injury update for England after Arsenal win
THE GUARDIAN
When the full-time whistle blew, a second or two after Bernd Leno had diverted Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick away with his most significant intervention of the game, Arsenal’s players merged into a huddle. A few yards away their supporters celebrated as if this was more than a mere three points and they were probably right.
Arsenal had needed to pass this test and they did it with conviction: they gave Aston Villa nothing for an hour, and little more after that, while giving a convincing impression of a side that will hold on to fourth place. They may fall the wrong side of the margins against Liverpool and Manchester City, but they are barely missing a beat against anyone else.
THE INDEPENDENT
Perhaps it was fitting that Arsenal took a giant stride towards the Champions League at the home of former European Cup winners. Or maybe it was simply a consequence of excellence. Whichever, a sixth victory in seven league games gives them a four-point cushion in fourth place. Pointless at the end of August, they enter April in a fine position.
Their winning run has been interrupted only by Liverpool but Steven Gerrard proved unable to emulate his former employers as Aston Villa suffered a second successive defeat. Arsenal instead produced a performance of ambition and authority, capped by one of their own. There may not be many 20-year-old talismen but in this, as in much else, Bukayo Saka seems an exception to the rule.
MAIL ONLINE
Arsenal's celebrations at the final whistle showed the importance of these three points to their Champions League aspirations.
A fifth consecutive away win was thoroughly deserved but they still had to endure late drama in testing windy conditions.
Philippe Coutinho's curling free-kick represented Villa's first shot on target with the last kick of the game.
Stand-in Gunners goalkeeper Bernd Leno superbly tipped away and was the cue for Andrew Madley to blow the final whistle allowing beaming Mikel Arteta and his players to parade in delight in front of the noisy travelling fans.
THE TELEGRAPH
There is no telling how many twists and turns remain in this heavyweight race for the top four, although one certainty is that Arsenal will feel confident about their own prospects as long as Bukayo Saka remains fit and happy on the right wing.
Saka has been a decisive player for his club for some time now, and he could easily be the decisive player in this four-way scrap for the final Champions League place. It was the young winger’s latest goal that made the difference in Arsenal’s latest win, with Saka striking in the first half against an Aston Villa side that offered precious little attacking quality in front of their own fans.
