Premier League pace-setters Arsenal ended 2025 on a high with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates on Wednesday, halting Unai Emery’s impressive run. Goals from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus secured a resounding win for the Gunners as they continue their pursuit of an elusive Premier League title.
After the triumph, Gabriel took a dig at Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana by mimicking the latter’s trend of sticking three fingers in his pocket to signal the number of points that come along with the victory.
After a goalless first half, Gabriel headed the ball into the net in the 48th minute, giving Arteta’s side the lead. Just four minutes later, Zubimendi doubled the advantage with a goal assisted by
Martin Odegaard.
Trossard converted a Jurien Timber pass to score the third goal in the 69th minute before Jesus sealed the game with an exquisite strike, solidifying the Gunners’ position at the top.
At the end of the game, Emery avoided the customary post-match handshake with the opposition manager, quickly heading to the tunnel.
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers reflected on the game, acknowledging that the Gunners were the superior side on the day and that the Birmingham-based side aren’t ashamed of going down to the best team in the league.
Arsenal’s win brought their season’s tally to 45 points from 19 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand against Sunderland on Friday.
Aston Villa, who climbed to third place due to their impressive run leading up to the game at the Emirates, remain third with 39 points despite their defeat to Arteta’s men. Fourth-placed Liverpool, with 32 points from 18 matches, face Leeds on Thursday, while United stand sixth in the table with 30 points from 19 matches, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, separated only by goal difference.
