Premier League 2023-24 has returned after the short winter break. On the day, there were multiple matches played. Two of them were played between Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United vs Aston Villa. While both teams failed to score in the first half during the Arsenal and Forest game, the United were leading by 2-0 against Villa after the first half.
Meanwhile, during the second half, Villa and Arsenal scored against their respective opponents in 22 seconds. Ollie Watkins scored in the 71st minute for Villa while Bukayo Saka in the next minute. Meanwhile, at the end of both games, Arsenal won by 2-1 with Gabriel Jesus (65′) and Bukayo Saka (72′) scoring in the second half. For the Forest, Taiwo Awoniyi (89′) scored a consolation goal.
On the other hand, for the United, Fabian Schär (32′, 36′) scored two goals while Villa’s Álex Moreno (52′) scored an own goal which worked for the United. For Villa, Ollie Watkins (71′) scored the only goal for his side.
In the first half, we did well: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
“[Arteta said at halftime] to keep trying and in the first half we did good,” Jesus told TNT Sports. “We were there and controlled the game, but the best way to control them is to keep the ball in the third part of the pitch, we did well in the first half but we didn’t score.
“Second half we scored so we controlled more of the game.”
Arteta revealed that Jesus had fought hard to be fit for the game after struggling with fluid on his knee.
“When someone has the desire with the ability he has, good things are going to happen,” Arteta said.
“Set pieces, it’s normal to go forward and today I was in the right position and there was a bit of luck to be there,” a delighted Schar told TNT Sport. “Obviously it was great to help the team with the goals and get the win.”
