With a narrow victory over a lackluster Aston Villa team, Arsenal retained their perfect record to remain atop the Premier League.

Given that Villa have lost four of their first five games, the outcome is expected to increase pressure on manager Steven Gerrard.

He might not have many complaints, though, since his team had trouble keeping up with the hosts’ intensity, especially in the opening period.

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For Arsenal’s first-half dominance, Gabriel Jesus’ third goal of the year was a meager reward. After Emiliano Martinez fumbled Granit Xhaka’s deflected shot, the Brazilian forward swept a low effort past Villa.

While Villa improved after the break and scored from Douglas Luiz’s corner to tie the game, Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale protested that Boubacar Kamara had obstructed him, and the score remained level for fewer than three minutes.

Bukayo Saka’s precise cross was turned in by Gabriel Martinelli to give Mikel Arteta’s team, who posed the larger danger throughout, the lead once more.