Soaring Arsenal hosted struggling Aston Villa and although the game was drawn with 15 minutes to go, a dominating performance was rewarded with a winning goal in the end for the home team.

The matches are coming thick and fast now and the Gunners did well to grab three points. For Aston Villa, however, a loss meant the worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1997.

Arsenal's depth tested

For the first time this season the strength of Mikel Arteta's starting lineup was tested with several players out injured.

Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny were out.

In came Kieran Tierney at leftback and Albert Sambi Lokonga at midfield.

The latter did well to be Arsenal's central passing option in the build-up and hardly put a foot wrong. Tierney, however, looked uncomfortable when he inverted centrally – what Zinchenko does so well – lacking composure and passing range in that position.

If Partey and Elneny are ruled out for a lengthy period, the Gunners best option might be to push for another signing, a midfielder, before the transfer window shuts. Lokonga did well but depth is needed when competing in the Europa League too, as games will be played every three or four days.

It should be noted that Martin Ødegaard was also seen with a bandaged foot after a nasty challenge against Aston Villa. And Aaron Ramsdale was clutching his hamstring.

The medical team will be busy ahead of Arsenal first big challenge this season: a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Duracell bunnies

A common sight when watching Arsenal this season is how energetic they are from the first kick of the ball. No exceptions this time around.

Starting from the top with the two goalscorers Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli down to the defenders, the Gunners' high and aggressive press causes problems for their opponents but also helps them control the game away from their own goal.

In fact, at half time Arsenal had 67% possession and outscored Aston Villa 15-2 in shots and 303-156 in passes, according to the Premier League website. And of course a 1-0 lead. Domination.

Their tireless running may be the result of Arteta's equally intense pre-match team talks, as anyone who have seen the Amazon All or Nothing documentary can attest to.

Aston Villa need solutions

The visitors arrived at the Emirates Stadium with one win and three losses, having only scored three goals, in the Premier League so far.

Steven Gerrard will be worried of his team's start to the season. Against Arsenal they struggled to cope with the host's aggressive press and their main avenue of goal threat, counter-attacks, was sloppy and inaccurate.

Villa did well when they moved their team into Arsenal's half, when their attacking players could more effectively use their impressive technical abilities, but were too easily pushed back through Arteta's aggressive pressing scheme.

If it is against Arsenal or Bournemouth, Aston Villa are struggling to score. It's a head-scratcher considering the firepower they have up front.

Villa must get key players going

Speaking of players up front... to get his team back on track Gerrard needs to find a way to utilise the likes of Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings better.

Against Arsenal, Watkins touched the ball 26 times, according to Whoscored. Less than any starting player on the pitch. He also did not have a single shot attempt.

In their 1-0 loss to West Ham this past weekend, Watkins and Ings started together up front and had 24 and 23 touches respectively - twice as few as any other outfield Aston Villa player.

One of their star player from last season, Philippe Coutinho, has also been a shadow of himself so far, and started on the bench against Arsenal. The Brazilian has yet to score or assist a goal, yet to complete a full match and has been benched twice already.

The matches come fast at Gerrard and co too this week, who will host no other than Manchester City on Saturday. There is lots to work to do in Birmingham.