By ISAAN KHAN
Published: 02:00 EST, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 02:00 EST, 31 December 2025
Arsenal’s Premier League season is just at the halfway mark. It’s still early days.
Yet, that matters not. Whatever transpires in the coming months, this pummelling of Aston Villa will ring in the memory for some time.
Four goals were struck by the Gunners. On another night, there would’ve been more.
The message was clear: Arsenal are the team to beat this season - and they will take some stopping in their quest for a first title since 2004.
1. Welcome return for the Gunners
The centre-back partnership which has formed the bedrock of Mikel Arteta’s team for the past three years was back.
Gabriel (right) opened the scoring on 48 minutes on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-1
And how Arsenal have missed it, Gabriel making his first start since picking up a hamstring injury on November 18 in an international friendly against Tunisia to partner William Saliba.
Both had a big task ahead to contain Ollie Watkins who had previously scored six in 11 matches against the Gunners.
After surviving a couple of close shaves in the first half, Watkins squandering some good chances, the pair partnered well to shut out the Villa attack.
Though, it was Gabriel’s aerial prowess which broke this game open and laid the foundations.
On the defender, Arteta said: ‘Big Gabi, he comes from an injury of six weeks, that probably should have been a bit longer.
‘He plays against probably the team that is the hardest to control, especially the front players.
‘And the striker that they have (Ollie Watkins) in terms of their movements. He impacts the game in an incredible way, both defending and the opposition box.’
The north London club had scored 10 times in the Premier League from set-pieces before Gabriel’s injury.
Without him, those goals had dried up. Only one followed - an own goal against Wolves.
Immediately upon his return, the tap was back running, Gabriel opening the scoring with a header off Bukayo Saka’s corner to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead.
As well as a goalscoring threat, his partnership with William Saliba solidifies Arsenal in defence
From there, Arteta’s men shut out Villa. The Brazilian’s aerial prowess is a weapon which has time and again opened games up for Arsenal.
Even when opponents are in the ascendency, it’s often a Gabriel set-piece goal which has turned the tide.
If they do go on and win the title, it’ll be looked upon as one of the elements as to how the north London club finally got over the line.
Opposition teams know how much of a threat Gabriel poses - and routinely fail to deal with it.
2. The one blot on a brilliant night for Arsenal
Title race ramifications and revenge were the main subplots in the build-up.
Just hours before kick-off, most of that went out of the window. The pre-match chatter around the Emirates centred on one topic: no Declan Rice.
The unmoveable cog and nucleus of this Arsenal team was not in the squad because of a knee injury.
His influence is well eulogised, and the Gunners’ reliance on the England man became even clearer just minutes into this match.
Aston Villa’s midfield had rampaged through the middle early on, creating opportunities they should have better utilised.
Amadou Onana marched through on 11 minutes, Saliba just about avoiding to trip him up in the area.
Then Watkins was fed twice soon after by Ezri Konsa and Emi Buendia, squandering both chances at goal.
Arsenal will be hoping Declan Rice's knee injury isn't too bad after he missed the win vs Villa
It was the joy Morgan Rogers, Buendia, Youri Tielemans and Onana were having in the middle of the park early on which reflected how crucial Rice is to this team.
His leadership qualities are one element, but it’s the impact he has across the pitch which is hard to replicate.
Whether it’s motoring into the attacking third, protecting the backline or being shunted into an unfamiliar right-back position, Rice can do it all.
Injuries at Arsenal is a topic which is constantly revisited, a new player seemingly stricken every week.
In the end they steamrolled Villa. Though anyhow, with Rice, the Gunners will be praying his absence is a short one indeed.
3. Arsenal underline their title credentials
Premier League titles aren’t won on New Year’s Day. There is still a long way to go.
Yet, the importance of this victory for Arsenal can’t be understated.
Having been beaten by Villa earlier this month, revenge was on the table, as well as vital points.
Arsenal reasserted their dominance in the title race with a emphatic 4-1 win rivals Aston Villa
Mikel Arteta has plenty to smile about as his Arsenal side sit top of the Premier League table
A loss or draw here would have opened the door for Manchester City to go top - and their track record in pulling away needs no introduction.
It was the way Arsenal brutally pulled apart their opponents which sent a clear message: they are the team to beat, make no bones about it.
The manner in which they soaked up the early pressure before putting foot on throat was mightily impressive. This was not a grinded out victory. After a tight first half, Arsenal pummelled Villa.
It was 4-1 in the end - and could have been more against a team some observers argue are in the title race.
Arsenal charge into 2026 with their heads held high and silverware firmly on the radar.
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