Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side is beginning to reap the rewards of months of hard work and sacrifice after the Gunners closed out the year top of the Premier League table.
A commanding 4-1 home victory over title rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday night lifted Arsenal five points clear at the summit, ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who face Sunderland away on New Year’s Day.
With Arsenal having last lifted the Premier League trophy in 2004, Arteta was asked whether this season could finally end the club’s two-decade wait for a league title. The Spaniard pointed to his players’ belief, resilience and relentless energy.
“We’re playing every two and a half days. The schedule is very, very demanding, we’ve had injuries and some very tough matches, but the players keep winning — and winning helps everything,” Arteta said.
“All the sacrifices and commitment that you put in get reflected in results and great performances. That’s very satisfying, but we know there’s still so much to play for.”
Arteta added that while the victory was a fitting way to end the year, focus would quickly shift to the next challenge.
“It’s a great way to end the year, that’s for sure. We’ll have a good night with our families, but the next day we are back in and preparing to go to Bournemouth. We know what that means,” he said.
The emphatic win marked the first time Arsenal scored four goals in a league match since their 4-1 north London derby win over Tottenham on November 23. It followed three consecutive narrow one-goal victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Brighton.
Midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who was among the goalscorers alongside Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, said the result was vital for confidence and momentum.
“We needed this game,” Zubimendi said. “We were at home and wanted to finish the year top of the table. Aston Villa are a great team, tactically almost perfect, so we’re very happy with the performance.”
He admitted Arsenal struggled initially with Villa’s counter-attacks but credited tactical adjustments at half-time for the dominant second-half display.
“In the first half we struggled a bit with the counter-attacks. At half-time we adjusted some movements and once we scored the first and second goals, the game opened up and we managed to score four,” he explained.
Zubimendi also praised the Emirates Stadium crowd for playing its part.
“We felt the willingness of the fans — always pushing, always wanting more,” he said.
Arsenal now turn their attention to an away trip to Bournemouth as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League heading into 2026.
