Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants fellow Premier League contenders Aston Villa to "suffer" at the Emirates Stadium after winning the reverse fixture earlier this month
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Emi Buendia of Aston Villa (R) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Morgan Rogers (L) as Arsenal players look dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on December 06, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Aston Villa snatched victory against Arsenal in the final minute of added-on time
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Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to make Aston Villa “suffer” as he seeks revenge for their “cruel” defeat to their title rivals earlier this month. Goals from Matt Cash and Emi Buendia ended the Gunners’ 17-match unbeaten run at Villa Park on December 6.
And Unai Emery ’s side extended their winter hot streak to 11 consecutive wins with victory at Chelsea. Now Villa visit the Emirates seeking a victory to draw level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
And the former Arsenal boss has form for hurting his old club after Villa when 0-2 at the Emirates in April 2024 to effectively end that title bid.
Asked what he learned from the latest Villa defeat, Arteta said: We'll watch it back, I have a few ideas and things that we have to do better, and it was quite cruel as well the way we lost it, but yeah, we learned from it. If you use that motivation and that hunger in the right manner, for sure.”
Arsenal have won six consecutive Premier League home games but have benefitted from four own goals in the last three matches at the Emirates, including in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace and the weekend 2-1 win over Brighton.
“Well, that's what we want, that every opponent that comes here suffers, and we are as dominant as we were today for the majority of the game and against Villa. We have a really tough match, we know them, what they’re doing and a beautiful game as well to prepare and play.”
Former Arsenal boss Emery has claimed that Villa are not in the title race despite sitting only one point behind favourites Manchester City.
But asked if the Birmingham club are genuine title contenders, Arteta said: "Well, they're meant to be there, look what they are doing and how consistent they've been, what Unai has done with the club, so I think they fully deserve that credit because they are doing it on the pitch where you have to show your level.”
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was replaced after 71 minutes against Brighton after again failing to find the net
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was replaced after 71 minutes against Brighton after again failing to find the net
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The £64m summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has now gone seven games without a goal in open play - and has been outscored by own goals for Arsenal since September.
He was replaced by Gabriel Jesus after 71 minutes and Arteta must now decide whether to start the Brazilian against Villa.
Asked if he has spoken to his Swedish striker, Arteta said after the Brighton win: Yeah, because we want him to score, obviously he had a few chances today, a few great positions, the ball didn't arrive, so keep insisting, it's the only way.”
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