Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after his Arsenal side [hammered Aston Villa 4-1](https://arseblog.news/2025/12/report-arsenal-4-1-aston-villa-inc-goals/) at home this evening.
Here’s what he had to say.
**On the performance …**
Well, it’s a beautiful evening. A very tough match, we knew they are a tough opponent to play against. We had the first ten minutes a bit shaky where we had to adjust things and, credit to them, because they break our press and they had two situations they could run and they are very dangerous there.
After that, we grabbed the game a little bit without creating, apart from the two big chances of Viktor, too much but more control in the game. And the second half, the way we started, it was amazing. We really turned things up.
We were very efficient in everything that we did, and we deserved to win the game.
**Did you give them a rocket at half-time?**
The rocket is great but it’s not enough. Against them, you have to be really meticulous and understand really well the timing of things when you do them. And everybody working together to achieve that.
We adjusted and the times were right and the players were super efficient in what they did. So credit to them because against this team, it’s not easy.
**On being ruthless with second half chances …**
Yes, and that’s the difference. We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks and we needed scrappy goals. To win the game today, the quality of the finishing and the way we put the ball in the final third, in the box, it was top and that made a difference.
**The importance of Gabriel Magalhaes …**
We saw today, he was a great example. He comes back after six weeks out. It should have been probably eight. He comes back early, straight away in the team against probably one of the best strikers in the league and how difficult it is to mark him. I think was tremendous.
**Any issue with Unai Emery not shaking his hand?**
No, no, not an issue. I mean, sometimes we are in this moment and no problem at all.
**Is 2026 a beautiful opportunity for Arsenal?**
Well, it’s been a great 2025 in the personal level, professional level. The way these guys and the club and the staff made me enjoy my work every single day. And 2026, we know what we want.
We’re going to have to work really hard for it every single day, but I think we’re in the right trajectory.