Arsenal players prove Mikel Arteta made right decision over Philippe Coutinho transfer

Philippe Coutinho's return to the Premier League with Aston Villa has generated nothing but positivity.

With good reason, too, because the former Liverpool star has been exceptional on the pitch at times, and nothing short of very good at others, since arriving at Villa Park in the January window.

The more he plays, the more the securing of his signature on loan from Barcelona looks to have been a masterstroke by Villa boss Steven Gerrard, his former Liverpool team-mate. And not just on the field because he has slotted brilliantly into a dressing-room with no shortage of South Americans, too.

Such has been Coutinho’s impact that many of those who questioned why Arsenal were also considering a move for him in January are being forced to concede that his best days clearly aren’t behind him. That the hunger and desire he had during his Anfield days hasn’t long since departed.

Yet, despite all that, here at Villa Park he was outshone by Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, the young Gunners again delivering the goods which showed why boss Mikel Arteta knew he could do without the Brazilian. Odegaard, in the No.10 role, in particular had a fine game.

And to his right, goalscorer Saka produced even more than the Norwegian until he was caught by a heavy challenge from England team-mate Tyrone Mings soon after giving his side the lead. He was still a threat afterwards as well, just not quite of the same level he had been, as he linked superbly with Cedric Soares down the right.

On the other side of the field, Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney gave Arsenal a width that caused Villa trouble for good periods of this game. So it’s no wonder Arteta had and has such faith in the three of them, and in Gabriel