Arsenal left Villa Park with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday evening, overcoming one of last campaign’s banana skin teams.

After two losses last season, both of which can be pointed to as a big reason for falling short of the league title, it was a tough test for Arsenal as the first away game of the 2024-25 campaign.

But the Gunners pulled through with a resolute display, withstanding Aston Villa’s pressure and clinically grabbing the three points.

Bukayo Saka was once again instrumental, playing a significant role in both goals off the right wing.

Having been hampered by Achilles and hip issues for some time now, Saka finally appears unburdened and injury-free, and he has looked sharp through the opening two games.

Keeping Saka in this condition as long as possible will be crucial to Arsenal’s title charge, with the England star continuing to be at the centre of every attack.

But it was substitute Leandro Trossard who broke the deadlock, scoring with his first touch with a composed low finish from a Saka cutback.

The Belgian once again started on the bench with Mikel Arteta opting for Gabriel Martinelli, but Trossard was raring to go, putting in an impressive cameo and sending a clear message to the manager to start the next game.

Martinelli has struggled somewhat through the opening games, looking indecisive and short of confidence at times and the performance from Trossard on Saturday has surely swung the starting spot in the Belgian’s favour.

But for all of the attacking praise, it was David Raya who came away as the star of the show, pulling off a remarkable save from Ollie Watkins - who had scuffed a gilt-edged first-half chance - early in the second half to keep the scoreline blank.

Raya is a player who has grown into the role over the past year and deserves huge credit for the way he’s cemented his spot.

Now he’s made two brilliant saves in the opening two games, repaying the manager’s bold decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale a year ago.

The Gunners host Brighton at 12:30pm on Saturday, another of the four teams who are two from two to start the season.

And a third successive win this weekend would leave Arsenal with a perfect start heading into the first international break.