Magnificent Arsenal start 2026 on top of the Premier League

Mikel Arteta's rampant Gunners sweep aside Aston Villa to head back to the top of the table

Here's Ian Mills with his take after Arsenal outclassed Aston Villa to post a statement victory at the top of the Premier League after a superb second half salvo strengthens Gunners title chances.

1 - Revenge is very sweet:

– when Emi Buendia fired home Villa’s 95th winner on Saturday, December 6, it was a gut punch that could have damaged lesser teams to the extent that their title challenge could have wilted.

Since that game we have played six times, winning them all albeit one by virtue of a penalty shootout. What has been missing from those games is a ruthless execution of the chances we are creating, a comprehensive and thumping win and a statement victory against a direct rival for the Premier League Title – here we got all three.

In truth, Villa shaded the first half and Ollie Warkins will look back on a couple of great chances to give them the lead.

However, from the moment Emiliano Martinez flapped at Bukayo Saka’s corner allowing our ‘King of Brazil’ to poke the ball home via his thigh, we seized control of this game.

Within four minutes it was 2-0 (more on that below). Leandro Trossard added a well taken third before Gabriel Jesus swept up home a sumptuous fourth.

Former Gunner Martinez was serenaded with a couple of chants – the printable one I can use here was ‘David Raya – he’s better than you’.

Raya pulled off a breathtaking save from John McGinn before Watkins scored a consolation goal. Villa have played a significant part in derailing our other recent title charges so this win felt bigger than most and also fired a warning to our rivals that this is an Arsenal team that is going to fight all the way to try to end a 22 year wait for the Premier League crown.

2- Leo the Lionheart:

– our little Belgian magician provided another outstanding goal in what is fast becoming a stellar season for him. He has more Premier League goal involvements than any other Arsenal player during 2025 with 19 – ten goals and nine assists.

As well as scoring our third in this match, he set up Jesus to add our fourth.

He is currently keeping Gabi Martinelli, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke out of the side on merit. Those fans who questioned his recent pay rise seem a to be a lot quieter now.

With much talk about our options in attack, for my money he remains the best finisher at the club, and he will continue to contribute hugely in our hunt for trophies.

3 - Odegaard back conducting the Arsenal orchestra:

– Martin Odegaard has endured a very stop start beginning to this campaign however having scored the opener in the Brighton game he provided a virtuoso second half showing to turn this game dominantly in our favour.

He could have got his name on the scoresheet again however he had to be content instead with a tremendous throughball to Martin Zubimendi, with our diminutive Spanish midfielder finishing expertly with the outside of his right foot.

While some fans have questioned Odegaard’s position as Captain, nobody makes this Arsenal team purr quite like Odegaard on top form.

Next up is Bournemouth away, before Liverpool at home a week today.

Happy New Year 

By Ian Mills