Noni Madueke says Arsenal are approaching their second Premier League match as champions with a relaxed mindset after making an impressive start to their title defence.
The Gunners opened the 2026-27 campaign with a 3-0 victory over promoted Coventry City at Emirates Stadium, and now travel to face Aston Villa on Monday.
Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, began the season with a heavy 4-0 defeat by Brighton. The match could also see Ezri Konsa make his Arsenal debut against his former club after completing his move from Villa earlier this month.
Madueke, who represented England at the World Cup this summer, believes Arsenal’s success in ending a 22-year wait for the league title has helped create a more confident atmosphere within the squad.
“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.”
Arsenal secured their first silverware of the season by beating Manchester City twice last term, according to Madueke, and he says the team are determined to build on their championship-winning campaign rather than simply celebrate it.
Konsa’s arrival has added further interest to Monday’s fixture. The defender has played alongside Madueke for England for the past couple of years, and the Arsenal forward is pleased to see his international team-mate join the club.
“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.”
The fixture will also be a landmark occasion for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is set to take charge of his 250th Premier League game. He will become only the 10th manager in the competition’s history to oversee 250 matches for one club.
Arteta has a 60.2% win rate from those games, with a record of 150 wins, 48 draws and 51 defeats. Only Pep Guardiola, with a 70.8% win rate, Alex Ferguson on 65.2% and Jurgen Klopp on 62.6% have recorded a better percentage among managers to have reached at least 250 Premier League matches.
Players to watch
Aston Villa’s scoring record in August will be a concern, with the club failing to find the net in five of their past six Premier League games during the month. That includes their last four across the previous two seasons.
Nicolas Jackson has joined Villa as a replacement for Ollie Watkins, who was sold to Al-Hilal, and the Senegal international will be tasked with trying to end that barren run.
Madueke was Arsenal’s creative standout against Coventry despite entering the game as a substitute in the 68th minute. He created four chances, more than any other Arsenal player.
Since 2003-04, only Aaron Ramsey has created at least four chances in a Premier League game for Arsenal after playing fewer minutes. Ramsey created six in 19 minutes against Wolves in December 2011.
Arsenal favoured despite Villa record
Villa have won their past three Premier League home matches against the reigning champions. That is already as many victories as they managed in their first 28 such games, when their record was three wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats.
They beat Manchester City at home in both 2023-24 and 2024-25 before defeating Liverpool at Villa Park last season. The last side to beat the reigning top-flight champions at home in more successive uninterrupted seasons was Luton Town, who did so seven times in a row between 1985-86 and 1991-92.
Arsenal nevertheless have a strong record at Villa Park. They have won 15 Premier League games at the ground, more than at any other away venue in the competition.
Villa have won four of their seven home Premier League meetings with Arsenal since returning to the top flight in 2019, losing the other three. That is more wins than they recorded in their first 24 Premier League meetings with the Gunners at Villa Park, when they had three victories, nine draws and 12 defeats.
Arsenal have also won their first away match in each of the past four Premier League seasons and kept a clean sheet on every occasion. They have never previously won their opening away game in five consecutive league campaigns.
Opta’s win probability ratings give Arsenal a 62.7% chance of victory, with Villa on 16.3% and the draw rated at 21%.
