Premier League leaders Arsenal loved ‘a fantastic night’ as they thrashed in-form Aston Villa 4-1 to go 5 factors clear on the high of the desk.
Mikel Arteta’s facet have been up in opposition to it at instances within the first 45 minutes however produced an exciting second-half show to rout Villa and underline their title credentials.
Objectives from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus despatched Arsena to an enormous win to go away Arteta purring heading into 2026.
He mentioned: “It’s a stunning night. That was a really powerful match, as we knew it will be, as a result of they’re a high opponent to play in opposition to.
“The primary 10 minutes have been a bit shaky and we needed to modify issues, however credit score to them as a result of they managed to interrupt our press twice and have been capable of run which they’re very harmful at.
“After that, we grabbed the sport and we have been creating the probabilities. The way in which we began the second half was superb, we actually turned issues up and have been environment friendly in all the things that we did. We needed to be actually meticulous and perceive the timing at which we have been doing all the things. It’s an enormous credit score to my gamers as a result of in opposition to this group it isn’t simple.
“We have now created numerous probabilities in the previous few weeks however we noticed the distinction right now. We would have liked scrappy objectives to win different video games however right now the standard of our ending was high and made the distinction.”
Manchester Metropolis, in second place, face Sunderland away on New Year’s Day.
“It received tough as a result of they’re such group,” mentioned Villa ahead Morgan Rogers.
“They’re the place they’re within the league for a purpose. They’re relentless and so they simply preserve going. I assumed we have been actually good within the first half, we have been actually pleased with how we performed. On one other day we’d’ve created yet one more clear-cut probability to possibly go in entrance, however they have been actually strong and actually good. Within the second half, they simply stored the stress on and it’s actually powerful to come back to a spot like this. We knew we must journey our luck however they have been simply too medical – typically that occurs.
“Nothing actually modified on both facet within the second half, however when you get that opening purpose then the momentum comes with it. If you’re 1-0 up then you definately get extra confidence and play extra freely, that’s positively what occurred for them. When the objectives began coming thick and quick, you knew it was carried out.
“It’s nothing dangerous to lose 4-1 to the very best group within the league for the time being. We simply need to mud ourselves down and be pleased with the successful run we’ve been on.”
