Arsenal scored four second-half goals as they thumped Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium to end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes, making his first start since recovering from injury in November, bundled the ball in from a trademark corner in the 48th minute to give Arsenal the lead, and despite appeals from the Villa players for a foul on their goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the goal stood.
The Gunners then doubled their lead when captain Martin Odegaard won the ball back in midfield before playing an excellent pass to Martin Zubimendi who poked past Martinez.
Leandro Trossard added a third when he slammed a shot low into the net from the edge of the area, after a lengthy check for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR).
And substitute Gabriel Jesus ensured it was a memorable night for the Gunners when he curled in from the edge of the area, before Ollie Watkins tapped in from close range in stoppage time to give Aston Villa a consolation goal.
Villa manager Unai Emery went down the tunnel without shaking hands with Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta after the full-time whistle, but both bosses later played down the incident.
Villa came into this game on an 11-match winning streak which included a 2-1 victory over the Gunners 24 days ago, but despite starting the game well and going close through Watkins could not take the lead.
Emery’s side, who were without Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara through suspension, came with a clear gameplan to slow the tempo of the match and tried to frustrate Arsenal, but could not deny Arteta’s side an impressive win.
The victory ends an excellent year for the Gunners who have lost just twice in the league this season, and move five points clear before second-placed Manchester City’s match at Sunderland on New Year’s Day (20:00 GMT).
Arsenal’s thrashing of Aston Villa means the Gunners end the year five points clear, with their supporters hoping this will be the season they end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.
Aston Villa arrived at the Emirates with the chance of drawing level on points with the Gunners if they were able to beat Arteta’s side, but the hosts showed why they are many people’s favourites to win the league.
Throughout December Arsenal have not been at their best, but as is the mark of potential champions, they have found a way to win.
Injuries to key players have meant Arteta has had to be creative at times with his selections – in this match he was without Declan Rice who was ruled out with a knock.
However, he could call on arguably Arsenal’s most important player in Gabriel, whose presence in defence brings calmness to the Gunners’ backline and his threat from set-pieces is a crucial weapon.
Gabriel was starting with William Saliba at centre-back in the Premier League for the first time since 8 November, and Arsenal have won all five league matches this season when both have played the full game.
The only concern will be that Gabriel was substituted in the 77th minute for Myles Lewis-Skelly, but as he walked off the pitch unaided it looked like a precaution.
Arsenal have finished second for three successive seasons, but with the experience they have from those title challenges and players returning from injury, 2026 could be a memorable year in north London.
If Villa boss Emery had been offered the chance to be six points off the top of the table by the end of 2025, he would likely have gratefully taken it.
Villa have been excellent this season and despite this match being their first loss in 12, the manner of the defeat will sting for Emery.
His side produced a near-perfect first-half away performance, and if Watkins had been able to make the most of his chance to give Villa the lead it may have been a different story.
The goals they conceded in the second half will be of concern as the Villa defence lost its shape as Arsenal piled forward, but the defeat does not take away from the excellent run they have been on.
Like Arsenal, Aston Villa are missing key players from their starting XI and with the January transfer window opening on Thursday and Villa in such a good position, Emery will likely be keen for reinforcements.
Arsenal are next in action at Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, 3 January (17:30 GMT).
Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest on the same day in the early kick-off (12:30).
