With the scoreboard reading 4–0, olés greeting every pass and the North Bank turning its attention to taunting Emi Martínez, it was easy to forget just how readily Arsenal fell into Aston Villa’s trap in the first half.
A sloppy touch from Gyokeres allowed Konsa to tee up Watkins, who missed. Tielemans then split the defence with a through ball that sent Rogers bounding forward, though nothing came of it. On the brink of half-time, Onana slid in Sancho, whose low cross was dealt with by Saliba, albeit with the offside flag raised. With Arsenal creating only a couple of half-chances themselves, it all felt uncomfortably reminiscent of the basketball-style contest at Villa Park earlier in the month; exactly the kind of game Unai Emery’s side thrives on.
“We talked about how demanding it was going to be emotionally, and we struggled in the first 10 minutes, arriving a bit late,” reflected Arteta in his [post-game press conference.](https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-artetas-post-aston-villa-presser-0)
“They were playing through us and creating some open space situations that they are very dangerous at.”
He added: “They are really good, they are extremely well coached, very clear what they want to do, how they want to hurt you, and they are very efficient at it. So they can drive you into a game that is constantly a very thin line, and you have to navigate it.”
A half-time reset was required. Arsenal emerged swinging. Gabriel bundled home Saka’s corner as Martínez flapped, before Odegaard fed Zubimendi, who went full Freddie Ljungberg to flick in a quick-fire second.
Still reeling, Odegaard went desperately close to a third. Timber then went down looking for a penalty, but before VAR had time to intervene, Trossard buried Arsenal’s third. With Villa on the ropes, Gabriel Jesus delivered the knockout blow, curling home with his second touch just seconds after coming off the bench. Even a Watkins consolation deep into stoppage time couldn’t dull the shine.
“In the second half, we clicked,” said Arteta.
“Everything went much better, timings were better, and the individual duels were fulfilled in an extraordinary way, so efficient in everything that we did. Unlike the last few games where we had so many big situations, today we were very prolific and accurate to make the difference.”
On the dominant spell that followed Gabriel’s opener, Arteta said: “We talked at half-time about the things that we have to alter to be more efficient, but actually after you have to.
“You can smell blood, but after you have to really grab it, and we did it. I think individually we had some huge performances, we were very efficient in the final third attacking the box and that made the difference.”
On his first start since returning from injury, Gabriel was colossal at the back – his performance earning him the Player of the Match award – but it was in midfield where the game was truly won. In the absence of Declan Rice, sidelined with a minor knee injury, Odegaard and Zubimendi buzzed around like coked-up hornets.
For the Norwegian, whose season has been stop-start due to injury, it felt like a clear sign he’s edging back towards his best.
“He needed some consistency and some games,” said Arteta.
“Obviously, he had two times the shoulder injury, then he had a big knee injury, and that takes a little bit of time. Now you can see that it’s flowing, that his energy level is back to where it is.
“He’s taking risks, he’s affecting the game in a great way, and I think he was really, really good today again.”
As for Zubimendi, whose goal took his season tally to six contributions (three goals and three assists) – a personal best – the praise continued.
“I’ve mentioned a lot of times that it’s a position that is very, very difficult to make an impact, and in the manner that he’s done it so early so credit to him.
“Credit to his teammates as well, and how easy they make it for him. Today he’s done something that, in my opinion, he has the ability to do: he’s arrived in the right moment, attacking the box and finalising actions, and he did it with such composure.”
So Arsenal head into New Year’s Eve five points clear at the top of the table, a gap Manchester City will have the chance to trim tomorrow. After a month of tight margins and growing tetchiness on the terraces, this felt like a release – and a timely reminder that when Arsenal hit their stride, they have the gears to swat teams aside, regardless of who’s on the pitch.
“I always say that to continue to win, you have to win in different contexts,” said Arteta.
“Some games we did very good, and the margin should have been much bigger, and we didn’t manage to do that, so we went for smaller margins.
“Today, maybe the margin wasn’t that big, but we made it \[big\], because we were extremely efficient and ruthless in the opposition box.”
The challenge now is to use the good vibes from a statement win to build momentum during a relentless spell of fixtures. Including the Carabao Cup shootout victory over Crystal Palace, it’s six wins on the bounce across three competitions since Emi Buendía’s last-gasp winner for Villa on 6 December.
On what his side can take from the performance, Arteta said: “It’s belief, it’s energy as well, because they put in so much.
“We’re playing every two-and-a-half days, the schedule is very, very demanding, we have some very tough matches and injuries, but the players are still winning, so winning helps all that.
“All the sacrifices and commitment that you put in get reflected in results and great performances, and that’s so satisfying, but we know there’s still so much to play for.
“It’s a great way to end the year, that’s for sure, and tomorrow we’ll have a good night with our families, but then the next day we are in, and we have to go to Bournemouth, and we know what that means.”