Arsenal have widen the gap at the top of the Premier League table after they dismantled Aston Villa with a dominant second half performance
22:13, 30 Dec 2025Updated 22:14, 30 Dec 2025
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Arsenal's set-piece wizardry conjured up three points on Tuesday evening as they put down a statement performance against Aston Villa.
Unai Emery's side had been the better side in the first half, with Ollie Watkins missing a glorious chance to put the cat amongst the pigeons in the title race. However, the Arsenal that appeared in the second half was a different beast.
It looked the Gunners side that might end north London's two decade wait for a title - and it all boils down to Arteta's half-time team talk. Whatever he said in those 15 minutes will need to be repeated each and every game for the rest of the season.
There were two different Arsenal's: the one that was stretched and overrun in the midfield that played for the first 45 minutes and then the one that emerged in the second.
However, it was a controversial goal that got the Gunners rolling.
Arsenal's infamous set-pieces have so often been the difference, and that was no different on Tuesday. Gabriel powered home after crashing into the ball, and Emi Martinez, to give Arteta's side the lead.
There was a lengthy VAR check, for a foul on Martinez, but Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith dismissed any idea there was a foul.
"Well Martinez has made one holy mess of this," he said. "He's tried to catch it instead of putting a couple of fists through it in a congested six yard area.
"Challenge on him by Gabriel, he pulls Gabriel's shirt there first you can see. It just hits the defender. The 'keeper just gets done. Martinez goes to hold his face, there was a left arm of Gabriel but nowhere near enough to disallow this."
However, some fans were left furious on social media - demanding a foul should have been awarded. Villa were shaken and within minutes they were two down after some brilliant work from Martin Odegaard fed Martin Zubimendi.
Leandro Trossard netted the Gunners third before Gabriel Jesus rounded off the scoring with a fourth.
Villa did get something from the game, as Watkins slammed the ball into an open net, after Donyell Malen hit the post, in the 90th minute.
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Arsenal will start 2025 five points clear of Manchester City, who will face Sunderland on New Year's Day.