Arteta joins elite 250-game club with Arsenal

Mikel Arteta became the 10th manager in Premier League history to oversee 250 matches with one club after Arsenal's 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Monday, joining an elite group that includes Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola.

Arsenal's defensive record was on full display again at Villa Park, as they did not concede a single shot on target. Bukayo Saka's second-half strike proved decisive. The result also gives Arteta the fourth-best win percentage among the 250 club's members, behind only Guardiola, Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp.

Arteta is now the longest-serving manager currently working in the Premier League, and his tenure has given Arsenal a distinct identity built on defensive solidity. This is the fifth consecutive season in which Arsenal have won their opening two league matches, having faced just three shots on target across their first two games this season, with Villa managing none.

Last season Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years while conceding fewer goals than any other side. Goalkeeper David Raya has claimed the Golden Glove for the most clean sheets in each of the last three seasons, while defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have each been named in the PFA Team of the Year for three years running. Since March, Arsenal have kept eight league clean sheets, three more than any other club.

The club spent roughly £250m on eight signings last summer and has already committed around £200m this year, bringing in players including Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Ezri Konsa. Arteta said the new arrivals had added dominance and momentum to the squad. Arsenal remain in the market for an attacking reinforcement and could still be active before Tuesday's transfer deadline.