Arsenal appeared to be wobbling at the start of December. After a defeat to Aston Villa, they scraped through narrow victories against Wolves, Everton, and Brighton. Yet, the team managed to collect important points, maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal appeared to be wobbling at the start of December. After a defeat to Aston Villa, they scraped through narrow victories against Wolves, Everton, and Brighton. Yet, the team managed to collect important points, maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League.
Their status as title contenders was reinforced with a commanding 4-1 win over Villa at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The performance not only kept the third-placed side at a distance but also sent a clear message to other teams that Arsenal are serious about their trophy ambitions.
Heading into the second half of the season, Arsenal leads the league by five points over Manchester City, with Villa one point further behind. Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin highlighted the collective effort, emphasizing that the manager, players, and staff are all contributing to the club's strong form.
Danny Murphy, speaking on Match of the Day, praised the team’s display. He described the win as a statement of strength, showcasing quality and the squad’s depth across the board.
Arsenal’s supporters are well aware of previous heartbreaks. Despite being in first place at the start of 2023, they finished the season behind Manchester City. Similar situations occurred in 2002-03 when Arsenal was on top at the end of December, only to end five points behind Manchester United.
Historically, the club has only won the league once after leading at the end of the calendar year in the previous six occasions, dating back to the 2001-02 “invincible” season. Fans are therefore cautious, aware that early-season dominance does not guarantee silverware.
Jamie Carragher stressed that nervousness should wait until the business end of the season. With nearly 22 years since Arsenal’s last league triumph, he suggested that anxiety should peak in April and May, not in December. Statistics also indicate that teams leading at the end of the year win the league roughly half of the time (52%).
Mikel Arteta highlighted the need for consistency as Arsenal prepares for 2026. He acknowledged that the campaign will be demanding but stressed that the squad understands their objectives and is ready to work hard. The Villa victory was particularly notable for the return of Gabriel and William Saliba as the starting central defensive pair for the first time since early November.
Despite injuries to key defenders, Arsenal boasts the league’s tightest backline, having conceded just 12 goals in 19 matches. Gabriel’s goal early in the second half against Villa marked the start of a dominant display. Murphy praised the central defensive duo for providing calmness and athleticism, allowing the team to perform at their best.
The win over Villa is seen as crucial on multiple levels. Both Manchester City and Villa remain close challengers, with City capable of narrowing the gap with a victory at Sunderland. Meanwhile, Villa’s defeat ended their 11-game winning run, although Emery will be hoping it was an isolated setback. Carragher described the result as significant, highlighting the quality of the opposition and the convincing nature of the victory.
