Letter to Unai

Emirates Stadium, London

Twenty-four days after Aston Villa’s 95th-minute winner at Villa Park brought our 18-game unbeaten run to an abrupt end, the calendar offered symmetry. The Claret and Blues arrived at Emirates Stadium on a club-record run of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, third in the table and eyeing the summit. Arsenal, meanwhile, began 2026 with the chance to do more than settle a score: a victory would pull clear of a direct title rival and close the festive period with a perfect four from four.

The first half suggested a far tighter contest than what was to follow. Arsenal had the early initiative, Viktor Gyökeres twice going close with headers, first from Piero Hincapié’s persistence at the byline and later from a lofted Leandro Trossard cross. Villa, true to form, threatened in transition. Ollie Watkins scuffed wide from a fine Youri Tielemans through ball, then was denied again when William Saliba’s perfectly judged recovery forced him into a harmless curl wide. On the stroke of half-time, Saliba’s outstretched toe diverted another dangerous pass just enough to spare Arsenal, the offside flag a footnote rather than a reprieve. The absence of Rice was notable. 

Few would have predicted the flood after the interval. Three minutes into the second half, Arsenal’s set-piece strength struck again. Bukayo Saka’s corner dropped awkwardly between Emiliano Martínez and Gabriel, and the centre-back, restored to the side, nodded home from close range to mark his return.

The goal ignited Arsenal. Four minutes later Martin Ødegaard won the ball in midfield, surged forward and released Martin Zubimendi, who finished calmly for his first league goal since September. Villa, so often ruthless away from home, suddenly looked subdued.

Arsenal sensed it. Timber hooked over after another corner, Ødegaard tested Martínez twice, and on 69 minutes the pressure told. Timber’s steal recycled possession to Trossard, whose first-time strike flew past a screened goalkeeper. Nine minutes later came the flourish: Ødegaard again the instigator, Zubimendi the conduit, and Gabriel Jesus the finisher, curling beautifully for his first goal since returning from a long injury lay-off.

Villa found a late consolation through Watkins after David Raya had produced two outstanding saves, but the result was long settled. The following day, Granit Xhaka’s Sunderland took points from Manchester City, and Arsenal began the year top of the league, four points clear — momentum restored, statement made.

Arsenal 4 – 1 Aston Villa 

(G. Magalhães 48’, M. Zubimendi 52’, L. Trossard 69’, G. Jesus 78’, O. Watkins 90+4’)