Premier League: Arsenal 4 Aston Villa 1This was the statement win Arsenal have been waiting every waking hour for after they lost at Villa at the start of the month. Emery had lost only two of his eight matches against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal since he was sacked around Christmas 2019. Villa had won their previous 11 matches in all competitions and could have gone level at the top with a 12th victory. With Jesus alongside German striker Kai Havertz fit and on the bench for the first time this season, Arteta had options. Only the halfway mark of the season and Arsenal and Arteta have been here before, but this match felt like it meant more.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2025 22:36 UTC