By Matija Šerić
In the derby of the 19th round of the English Premier League, we witnessed a clash between the teams placed first and third in the table. Arsenal hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. Although the Lions were in tremendous form with 11 consecutive victories, many expected them to claim another big scalp. However, the visitors collapsed and Arsenal defeated them 4–1. It was a match in which the home side absolutely dazzled.
Arsenal’s Rhapsody
The first half ended goalless, with the visitors well organised on the pitch. It looked as though the match might end in a tactical stalemate. Everything changed, however, in the third minute of the second half when Bukayo Saka took a corner and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez reacted weakly in the air, allowing Gabriel to capitalise for 1–0. By the 52nd minute it was already 2–0. Martin Ødegaard delivered an exquisite defence-splitting pass that cut through the heart of the visitors’ defence, and Martín Zubimendi finished clinically. In the 69th minute, the question of the winner was definitively settled when Leandro Trossard scored a stunning goal from 17 metres. In the 78th minute, Trossard provided an assist for Gabriel Jesus, who had just come on, making it an unreal 4–0.
Game highlights
Emery’s Defiant Gesture and an Inert Refereeing Team
Substitute Donyell Malen produced a fine run down the left flank in the 94th minute, and Ollie Watkins scored to make it 4–1, at least slightly reducing the scale of the defeat (his seventh goal in 13 matches). A bitter taste remains, however, as Villa manager Unai Emery refused to congratulate Mikel Arteta on a clearly deserved victory and instead ran straight down the tunnel after the final whistle. The referees are, once again, a story in themselves. Referee Darren England and the VAR officials were painfully slow in making decisions, especially when it was obvious that Arsenal’s goals were legitimate. It is simply unacceptable to waste minutes and minutes waiting for VAR verdicts when the situation is clear to the naked eye. Even in video games, AI calls offsides instantly. The introduction of artificial intelligence into refereeing should be seriously considered. Too much time is being lost, leading to enormous amounts of added time.
A Triumph Without the First Star
Objectively speaking, Arsenal could have achieved an even more convincing victory and scored a few more goals. They fired 22 shots at goal, while Villa managed 11. Although the visitors had more possession (54–46 percent), they failed to make use of it, just as they failed to capitalise on their first-half chances. Among the standout performers were centre-back Gabriel (rating 8.1), left-back Piero Hincapié (7.7), midfielders Zubimendi (8.2), Ødegaard (8.3) and Trossard (8.9). Below par, however, were William Saliba (6.6), Jurriën Timber (6.9) and Saka (6.6). The fact that they played poorly yet Arsenal still dominated shows how much room for improvement the hosts still have. The Gunners’ victory is even more impressive considering that, for the first time this season, they played without their main star Declan Rice, who is injured. Valuable defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera were also sidelined.
All in all, the Gunners’ victory is highly impressive, especially given that just 24 days earlier they lost 2–1 at Villa Park, with Emi Buendía scoring the winner in the 95th minute. That defeat did not discourage them, as they went on to record four valuable wins: 2–1 against Wolves, 1–0 against Everton, 2–1 against Brighton, and now a 4–1 demolition of Aston Villa.
Arteta after the game
The Fate of New Year’s Leaders
With this victory, the Gunners have literally arrived at the gates of paradise. After half the season (19 rounds), they sit top of the league with 45 points—five more than Manchester City (who have a game in hand, away at Sunderland) and six more than Aston Villa. Thus, Arsenal enter the New Year 2025 as Premier League leaders, starting the year from pole position. This represents a significant psychological and tangible advantage. In the 33 seasons of the Premier League so far, the team leading on New Year’s Day has gone on to win the title 17 times—51 percent. Chelsea and Manchester United are the most successful in converting New Year leadership into a title, each having done so five times.
Will the Gunners Finally Break the Curse?
However, Arsenal’s history is less encouraging. They have been top of the league on New Year’s Day four times before, only to miss out on the title every single time. Will this year be fifth time lucky? Arsenal fans believe so, and the quality of the team’s play and squad gives them reason for optimism. After 22 years of waiting, the Gunners could finally lift the most prestigious trophy in English football and rid themselves of the curse of failure.
They conclude the festive Premier League period with an away match against Bournemouth on 3 January, followed five days later by a home game against a pale Liverpool. If they navigate these fixtures successfully, their title credentials will be even stronger. Fans will believe and pray to higher powers, while Arteta and his players must turn those hopes into reality. If the Gunners do not win the league this season, they never will. They have everything they need. There is no excuse for failure.
