Player Ratings: Arsenal 4-1 Villa as Gunners underline Premier League title credentials  

Centre-back Gabriel scores Arsenal opener from corner

Zubimendi gets Arsenal's second, Trossard slams in third

Substitute Gabriel Jesus curls in fourth, Watkins scores late Villa consolation

Find out who impressed with View From The Armchair's Player Ratings after Arsenal outclassed sorry Aston Villa

David Raya: 8/10 - save your squeaky bum time, this is The Arsenal, 75 mins used his hands, 91 minutes was called into action to use them twice in 30 seconds to preserve the clean sheet, distressing scenes, no keepy uppies to the halfway line sadly. Villa steal the clean sheet in injury time.

William Saliba: 8/10 - as crucial a touch as you are ever likely to see on a football field right on the stroke of half-time, Rolls Royce no2, delivers the festive goodies in the form of a clean…..oh booooo Watkins robs us of that moment on 94 mins 4-1

Gabriel: 8/10 - just after halftime with a goal line steal from the keepers clutches right under his nose with some peak time shithousery, went to elbow him, drew the fakery from the keeper, VAR makes the right call and starts to remove the playtime antics from top flight football as a new year present to football fans around the world, 1-0 to the Arsenal, and so say all of us.

Piero Hincapie: 8/10 - hitting what appears to be a solid groove in my world, a good moment in tne football world, by far the finest clooooob the world has ever seen, no complaints here with his nights work.

Jurrien Timber: 7/10 - he’s hard as nails, and got a chance to be rested again as we head deep into the depths of 2025, a fantastic year for JT, more of the same please in 26.

Mikel Merino: 7/10 - man’s been clocking up some minutes and needs to start consuming some cinnamon buns again via the courtesy of yours truly in the armchair, too quiet for my liking I’m getting the over ready for a big semi final against Chelsea, rested on 72 mins. For who, what’s that, Arteta knows what he’s doing?

Martin Zubimendi: 8/10 - 52 mins, he slides the ball home effortlessly from Odegaards exquisite threaded assist, rampaging Mickey Thomas Esque run behind the lines to make it 2-0

Martin Odegaard: 8/10 - whisper it quietly let the good times roll as we head into 2026, a purring Odegaard searching for his reward.

Bukayo Saka: 7/10 - domination complete by the time we needed Saka to get involoved in this game, got better as the game wore on, still wanna see him start laying them up on a plate for Big Gyok though cant lie.

Leo (steal ya nuts) Trossard: 9/10 - He’s darting left, he’s shooting right, our secret squirrel is having a good night, terrorising defences leaves em all for dead, then Jesus said paddy or something like that. 68 minutes, goodnight villa, it’s 3-0, drilled right foot peach of a connection 3-0 Arsenal !! With the assist for 4-0 he is my POTM !

Viktor Gyokeres: 7/10 - headed one inches over in the first half, had a couple of other chances, he’s a problem and appears to be much loved for his energy and damn fine skin fades alone Jim.

Substitutes:

Kristian Norgaard: 7/10 - Arteta’s the boss, he knows what he’s doing, but by all means do put Rice in as your captain on FM26, in the meantime bring some appreciation to what this team is doing.

Myles Lewis Skelly: 7/10 - bought into the action for his height. Happy New Year Gooners, the future is bright and it’s not claret and blue, not tonight Jeff, it’s a 4-0 demolition, let’s get this man some more Englands caps and teach him how to make a better five yard slide rule pass than Phil Forden along the way.

Gabriel Jesus: 8/10 - guest spot on 76 minutes, exquisite finesse shot for those in the online supporters clubs who like to think they run the show it’s a hammering for Villa tonight 4-0 he will take the yellow card for the t-shirt reveal, it won’t matter with the strength of depth we have this year, we hope, I’d keep taking em if I can see finishes like that on the edge of the box, dreamy.

Noni Madueke: 8/10 - it’s joyous, sorry, it just is, some squad here, slowly we can start to believe, Chelsea, Carabao Cup Final, first bit of silverware will light the furnace that is approaching, bonus point for just getting on the pitch again.

Ben White: 8/10 - didn’t get skinned, it’s a bonus point from me 4-1 demolition job done, we move.

Arsenal crowd watch: not sure it looked like it was rocking when Zubi slotted home the second, truth be told I had music on and was having a little party for one at home with music on. I’ll post a link on my twitter feed, seven hours multi genre, have a peek @(view twitter link)

Even happier to see out silver haired chestnut stealing poacher extraordinaire score and get an assist scenes at the grove, that place should be rocking, but it’s just another three points, stay firm in your support in the ground, it’s important.

Safe travels home. COYG!