Arsenal moved further away from Manchester United in the top-four race and went five points off third-placed Chelsea after a narrow 1-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Winger Bukayo Saka, the brightest spark in a feisty first half, gave the visitors the lead after half an hour, reacting well to fire home from outside the penalty area after a Cedric Soares cross was only half-cleared.
The second period was heavy on perspiration but light on inspiration as both sides cancelled each other out, with the Gunners happy to settle for a stalemate second period and grind out the victory away from home against a dangerous but subdued Villa side.