Arsenal ‘relaxed’ after flying start to Premier League title defence

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Noni Madueke says Arsenal’s squad is completely relaxed as they prepare for the second game of their Premier League title defence.

Arsenal got their 2026-27 campaign off to a fine start as they dispatched promoted Coventry City 3-0 at Emirates Stadium in their opening game.

The Gunners face Aston Villa on Monday, with Unai Emery’s team having lost 4-0 to Brighton in their first match of the season.

Madueke, who was involved for England at the World Cup this summer, says the squad is feeling full of confidence after they ended Arsenal’s long wait for a league title last season.

“I feel like everyone’s [more free], everyone’s more relaxed, it’s good. We definitely have the feeling, obviously it was great to win the league after 22 years, it’s some feat,” he told Arsenal’s website.

“We’re back here with the same mindset to go and do it again, and even to improve on what we did last year. [City] beat us twice last season, so it was a great feeling to beat them and win the first trophy of the season. It sets the tone.

“Then the atmosphere against Coventry was great. I think there’s an extra buzz around the place now that we’re champions. It was a great performance from us as well, a great start to the season, so all in all, I think everyone’s really happy at the moment and the mood’s really good.”

This meeting with Villa could mean that Ezri Konsa is set to make his debut for the Gunners against his former club.

The defender joined Arsenal from Villa earlier this month, and Madueke is thrilled at Konsa’s addition.

“He’s a great friend of mine first and foremost. We’ve played with each other for England now for a couple of years,” Madueke said.

“I’m delighted that he’s here, he’s a great player and I know he’s going to be a great addition, not only to the team but around the building. 

“I can’t wait to see what we’re going to achieve together.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is set to take charge of his 250th Premier League game, becoming only the 10th manager in the competition’s history to oversee 250 games for a single side.

Only Pep Guardiola (70.8%), Alex Ferguson (65.2%) and Jurgen Klopp (62.6%) have a higher win rate among managers with 250+ games than Arteta’s 60.2% (W150 D48 L51).

— Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) August 30, 2026

Villa have failed to score in five of their last six Premier League games in August, including the last four across the last two seasons. 

Jackson has joined as their replacement for Ollie Watkins, who has been sold to Al-Hilal, and the Senegal international will be aiming to snap Villa’s scoreless start.

Despite only coming on in the 68th minute, Madueke created more chances than any other player in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry (four). 

Since 2003-04, only Aaron Ramsey against Wolves in December 2011 (six in 19 minutes) has played fewer minutes in a Premier League game for the Gunners while creating 4+ chances.

Villa have won their last three Premier League home games against the reigning champions, as many times as they had in their first 28 (W3 D10 L15).

They won at home against Manchester City in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, and beat Liverpool at Villa Park last season.

The last team to beat the reigning top-flight champions at home in more successive uninterrupted seasons were Luton Town, who did seven in a row between 1985-86 and 1991-92.

However, Arsenal have won 15 Premier League games at Villa Park, more than they have at any other away venue in the competition.

But Villa have won four of their seven home games against Arsenal since their return to the Premier League in 2019 (L3), more than they had in their first 24 against them at Villa Park in the competition (W3 D9 L12).

Arsenal, though, have won their first away game in each of the last four Premier League seasons, also keeping a clean sheet each time. The Gunners have never won their opening away game in five consecutive league campaigns before.

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