Arsenal dismissed Aston Villa with a stunning second-half performance at the Emirates to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League at the end of 2025
If they did not believe before, they will now. This was a statement victory by Arsenal as they rose to the challenge and put themselves five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal produced a sensational second-half performance to blow Aston Villa away and prove they have the mentality and character to win the title. They went back to doing what had got them to the top in the first place: set pieces, free-flowing football with pace and energy.
It was no coincidence that Arsenal scored their first goal from a corner in two months because giant defender Gabriel was back in the starting line-up. Gabriel Jesus came on and scored with his first touch with a glorious finish while Martin Zubimendi and Leandro Trossard also scored in between.
There was a big Declan Rice-shaped hole in Arsenal’s midfield, which made for a very edgy first half. So what happened?
Martin Odegaard stepped up in the second half with the sort of commanding display which shows exactly why he is the club captain. Odegaard led by example, drove the team on and, amid a sensational second half full of big performances, he topped the lot.
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At 4-0 with the clock ticking down, the away end emptied out as Villa’s 11-game winning run came to an abrupt halt. Blimey, it is a long way to come in a midweek but it was as if Villa’s loyal fans had given up on their title charge as they fell six points behind leaders Arsenal.
The home fans, who have been so edgy and nervous in recent games, loved it as they mocked former Arsenal boss Unai Emery and ex-Gunners keeper Emi Martinez, who was overwhelmed by the second-half goal rush.
It is hard to remember two such contrasting halves because Arsenal did look nervous at first and, in the opening 20 minutes, Villa got behind the home defence only for Ollie Watkins to miss a glorious chance. Slowly, Arsenal looked more solid at the back and Gabriel’s return after a groin injury could not have been better timed. He does make them look more solid.
There is still an issue with Viktor Gyokeres, who contributed very little as centre forward. Mikel Merino struggled to fill the void left by Rice’s knee injury. Villa had hope.
But that all changed when Arsenal scored just three minutes after the restart. Bukayo Saka’s corner caused chaos in the Villa box, Gabriel tussled with Martinez and the giant Arsenal defender bundled the ball into the net.
That was Arsenal’s 13th set-piece goal this season. Their 11th from a corner. It took the roof of the Emirates. The nervous tension suddenly gave way to a positive belief. Arsenal were up for it again.
Five minutes later, Arsenal got a second. It was Odegaard who battled, scrapped and won the ball in midfield before driving forward, doing exactly what Rice does for the team.
Odegaard then threaded a lovely through ball to release Martin Zubimendi who raced into the box before slotting his shot past Martinez and into the far corner. More was to follow as Arsenal’s fans could barely believe what they were watching. Piero Hincapie swung over a cross, Saka held it up and then Trossard curled it into the far corner. The goal survived a painfully long VAR check.
Jesus came on for Gyokeres and it got even better. Trossard set up the Brazil striker who curled a sublime shot Martinez.
It was a huge win. Easily Arsenal’s best performance since they beat Bayern Munich last month. David Raya pulled off an incredible double save in injury time time only for Ollie Watkins to get a last gasp consolation but that was all too little too late.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
