Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a strong warning to his Premier League title rivals after his side delivered a commanding 4–1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, declaring that the Gunners are firmly on course to challenge for the league crown.
The emphatic win on Tuesday night was a clear statement of intent as Arsenal produced a ruthless second-half display to overwhelm an in-form Villa side and move a step closer to ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.
After a tense and evenly contested first half, the match turned decisively in Arsenal’s favour following a costly error by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose failure to properly deal with a corner allowed Gabriel Magalhães to bundle home the opening goal.
The breakthrough sparked a flood of goals as Martin Zubimendi doubled Arsenal’s lead moments later, before Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus added two well-taken finishes to complete the demolition.
Villa’s Ollie Watkins pulled one back in stoppage time, but it proved little more than a consolation for Unai Emery’s men, who were punished for failing to convert their early dominance into goals.
The victory marked a major milestone for Arsenal, who had previously suffered defeats against Villa and Liverpool, and drawn against Manchester City and Chelsea earlier in the season. This time, Arteta’s side rose to the occasion with authority.
Reflecting on the performance, Arteta said the result underlined Arsenal’s readiness to finally lift the Premier League trophy after finishing runners-up in each of the last three seasons.
“It has been a great 2025 on a personal and professional level,” Arteta said. “The way the players, the club and the staff make me enjoy my work every single day is incredible.
“In 2026, we know what we want. We will have to work really hard for it every single day, but I think we are on the right track.”
Arsenal end the year five points clear at the top of the table, ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who still have a game in hand, while third-placed Villa sit six points behind the leaders.
The win also ended Villa’s 11-match winning streak, matching a club record, and provided Arteta with a measure of revenge after Villa’s late winner at the Emirates earlier in December.
Arteta praised his players for their discipline and efficiency, particularly in the second half.
“It was a very tough match as we expected,” he said. “The first 10 minutes were shaky and we had to adjust. After that, we controlled the game and created chances.
“The way we started the second half was amazing. We were efficient in everything we did, and that made the difference.”
The Arsenal boss also singled out defender Gabriel Magalhães for special praise on his return from injury.
“He came back after six weeks out and showed his quality against one of the best strikers in the league in Ollie Watkins. I thought he was tremendous,” Arteta added.
A minor post-match incident saw Arteta and Villa manager Unai Emery skip the traditional handshake, with Emery later explaining that Arteta was caught up in celebrations.
“I was waiting to shake hands, but he was celebrating with his staff. It’s no problem,” Emery said.
Arteta dismissed the issue, insisting there was no bad blood.
“Sometimes these moments happen. It’s not an issue for me,” he said.
Emery, meanwhile, lamented Martinez’s error and the injury to Amadou Onana, which he felt swung the momentum decisively in Arsenal’s favour.
“The first goal changed everything,” Emery said. “After Onana’s injury, we lost control in midfield. Arsenal showed their power. That is football.”
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