Arsenal delivered a devastating statement of intent in the Premier League title race with a commanding 4-1 demolition of third-placed Aston Villa to stretch their advantage at the top to five points heading into 2026.
Manager Mikel Arteta described the emphatic victory as a "beautiful evening" after his side exacted revenge for their stoppage-time defeat at Villa Park 24 days earlier.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after the match
Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and a first from Gabriel Jesus since New Year's Day had the Gunners four goals to the good at one point of the rout before Ollie Watkins bagged a consolation on his birthday.
Arsenal have now scored 22 set-piece goals, excluding penalties, in consecutive years, becoming only the second team to achieve this feat after AFC Wimbledon between 1993 and 1996.
Gabriel's 19th Premier League goal also represents the most scored by any defender since his September 2020 debut in the competition.
Arsenal-Gabriel-Zubimendi
Villa now sit six points adrift of the leaders with their title challenge potentially extinguished by the scale of this defeat.
Manager Unai Emery had played down championship talk in his pre-match comments, insisting such discussions did "not make sense" for his team, and this chastening experience vindicated his caution.
Second-placed Man City can reduce the gap to two points when they visit Sunderland on New Year's Day, though Pep Guardiola's side find themselves under mounting pressure following Arsenal's most convincing performance in several weeks.
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The Sky pundit has made his feelings clear.
The Gunners now travel to Bournemouth on Saturday seeking to maintain momentum in what promises to be a grueling title race over the campaign's second half.
Off the field, sporting director Andrea Berta is working on ways to strengthen Arteta's squad in any way possible, whether that be in January or next summer.
Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal could be active next month, and a report from CaughtOffside has claimed that Real Madrid sensation Arda Güler is on their radar.
Arsenal view Arda Güler as "Odegaard-style" signing on loan-to-buy
The Turkey international, according to their information, is viewed by Arsenal as a potential "Odegaard-style" project signing via a loan-to-buy deal, even if Xabi Alonso is very reluctant to let him leave.
Arda Guler for Real Madrid
Right now, Berta and Arsenal are admirers of Guler as they continue montioring his development at the Bernabeu.
The talented playmaker has transformed into a regular starter under Alonso following the Spaniard's appointment as Real boss last summer.
Guler has established himself as a genuine mainstay in Los Blancos' midfield after limited action last term, contributing three goals and seven assists across 25 appearances in all competitions.
arda guler
The transformation represents vindication for Real's decision to snub reported loan approaches from multiple clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Real Sociedad and AC Milan, over recent windows.
Alonso's determination to retain Guler could prove decisive in any potential negotiations.
The manager has deployed him primarily as a left-sided attacking midfielder, mirroring the role Florian Wirtz occupied during Alonso's successful spell at Leverkusen, and Real's boss has even compared him to the Liverpool star.
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Arsenal are ready to react to opportunities in the January transfer window.