Johnny Nicholson: Gunners on top and dream start for Unai Emery

Aston Villa stunned Man Utd in the first game for their new manager. 

LOOK WHO'S BACK: Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (left) on the touchline during the Premier League match at Villa Park.

Arsenal back on top

“One Nil to the Arsenal” is a chant from the distant past, but then, so is an Arsenal side who are up for the fight, who are gritty, determined and hard-faced. The soft underbelly of the last 15 years has gone and Chelsea could not disrupt them. The defence is so strong and dominant, exemplified by Ben White who must have a chance to go to the World Cup as a utility defender and William Saliba. They are all prepared to get in the trenches for a bit of hand-to-hand combat in the lashing rain, in order to dig out a win. This is not the Arsenal we have become used to. Restricting Chelsea to two shots on goal at Stamford Bridge is a sign of how resolute that defence is. Scoring with their only shot on target in a game they dominated, especially in the second half, is another expression of this new ruthlessness. All of us who can’t face another Manchester City cakewalk are willing Mikel Arteta’s boys to keep this up deep into the season and this win goes some way to prove that they absolutely can.