Arsenal were forced to wait a number of minutes for their third goal against Aston Villa to be confirmed because of two VAR checks for offside. Leandro Trossard had swept home expertly but his striker looked to be disallowed because of an offisde on Bukayo Saka earlier in the build up.

However, Sky Sports commentators confirmed that incident was cleared with officials at Stockley Park checking a similar infringement on Piero Hincapie. However, he was also onside with the Premier League Match Centre on X releasing a new angle of the incident.

Their post read: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal – and determined that Saka was in an onside position. The VAR also confirmed that Hincapié was onside in the build-up, therefore recommended that the goal was awarded."

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Controversy also surrounded their opening goal with Villa believing that Gabriel had committed a foul on Emiliano Martinez as he bundled home a Bukayo Saka corner.

However, Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith made it clear that Martinez could have no complaints and should have done much better.

"Well Martinez has made one holy mess of this," he said. "He's tried to catch it instead of putting a couple of fists through it in a congested six yard area.

"Challenge on him by Gabriel, he pulls Gabriel's shirt there first you can see. It just hits the defender. The 'keeper just gets done."

"Martinez goes to hold his face, there was a left arm of Gabriel but nowhere near enough to disallow this."

Villa could also have no complaints about Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Jesus goals that arrived either side of these two, however.

Arsenal came into the clash fresh off a big injury blow with Declan Rice missing out because of a knee injury. Arteta provided an update on his condition ahead of the clash.

He told Sky Sports: "Declan got a big kick in his knee at the start of the match [vs Brighton] actually and it had a massive swell up, so this game was too early for him.

Arteta added: "I hope so [he will not miss much action]. Once the swelling comes down he can start to function and he will be fine."

Riccardo Calafiori was also absent from the squad, though Arteta could welcome Gabriel Magalhaes back to the starting XI while Kai Havertz and Ben White were on the bench.