Mikel Arteta pleased with Arsenal's 'finishers' after narrow win at Aston Villa

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saka-bukayo/08NLEo06/"]Saka[/a] [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/arsenal-hA1Zm19f/aston-villa-W00wmLO0/?mid=27MtCUO7"]netted with a close-range finish in the second half[/a] at Villa Park to make it two successive victories at the start of the season for the champions.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/arteta-mikel/lAbHYaQM/"]Arteta[/a] was impressed with the way his side ground out a hard-fought success at a venue they lost in last season.[/p][p]"[b]Really happy, it's a massive win. It's a tough place to come and earn three points. I think we deserved it,[/b]" he said.[/p][p]"[b]We had a great performance. With 11, it wasn't enough, the finishers came in and did a magnificent job to finish the game and win it.[/b][/p][p]"[b]I know how tough it is to win here. Every big team has struggled against them because they are so good.[/b]"[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a] are one of four teams to win their first two league games this term along with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]Manchester City[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hull-city/S66R0t75/"]Hull[/a].[/p][p]The Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday in a fascinating early test of both teams's title credentials.[/p][p]Arteta is confident Arsenal will be able to stay the course after finally winning the title for the first time in 22 years last season.[/p][p]"[b]Last year was the same. We know how difficult it is to earn points in this league,[/b]" he said.[/p][p][b]"I always trust my players. The level depends on the moment as well. Last year, we lost here in a really difficult way. That was still in the tummy.[/b]"[/p][image alt="Match stats: Aston Villa vs Arsenal" id="6282fd50-54d6-4187-8686-075c5426ba28" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="1104c146-fe1b-4e66-bdaa-b11094018f49" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Arsenal could have further additions by the time they meet Chelsea, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atl-madrid/jaarqpLQ/"]Atletico Madrid[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Julian Alvarez[/a] linked with the Gunners.[/p][p]The transfer window shuts at 2200 GMT on Tuesday and Arteta said: "I disconnected for a day.[/p][p]"[b]My focus had to be on the game, we have the right people at the club to look after that.[/b]"[/p][p]Saka has scored in Arsenal's first two games as the England winger makes amends for an injury-plagued end to last term.[/p][p]"[b]It's not easy coming here, they made it hard for us. It feels even better to come out with the win,[/b]" he said.[/p][p]"[b]The way they defend, really compact and with a high line, they caught us offside. We had to adapt to that.[/b][/p][p]"[b]One goal is normally enough for us because we are so solid at the back. All the full-backs, the way they play gives us a lot.[/b][/p][p]"[b]For us wingers, it opens up the game for us, we've always got composure in the box. All the boys put in a shift tonight. It helps with a clean sheet.[/b]"[/p]