In their final Premier League match of 2025, Arsenal thrashed the in-form Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

This victory not only avenged the away defeat to the same opponent 24 days earlier, but also ensured that Arsenal would advance to 2026 as Premier League leaders.

The highlight of the match came in the second half. Shortly after Gabriel opened the scoring, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard made a crucial interception in the attacking third. After a calm assessment, he delivered a through ball that precisely found summer signing Martin Zuweimendy, who calmly slotted the ball home.

This was Zubémendy's first goal since September. After the match, Zubémendy praised Ødegaard's assist: "When Martin (Ødegaard) has the ball, you just need to make your runs. His vision and the quality of his passes are phenomenal. That pass was simply perfect."

Despite the lopsided final score, the match wasn't without its challenges. Suwemendy admitted that his team struggled against Villa's sharp counter-attacks in the first half. However, tactical adjustments at halftime proved to be the turning point. By optimizing their positioning and employing sustained high pressing, Arsenal completely took control of the game in the second half.

“We needed this victory to stay at the top of the table,” Zubmendi said. “The support from the fans was incredible; their hunger for more goals motivated us to score four in a row.”

This resounding victory marks Arsenal's fourth consecutive win in the Premier League. Compared to the previous three narrow victories, this win has significantly boosted the team's morale. In the upcoming new year campaign, Arsenal has demonstrated their title-contending prowess, capable not only of winning tough matches but also of delivering dominant performances.