Arsenal’s latest loss to Aston Villa this month was a major stumbling block in their bid to win the Premier League title, but manager Mikel Arteta hopes rewatching the match can motivate his players when they face it again on Tuesday.
Villa, led by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, are on an 11-match winning streak in all competitions and are three points below Arteta’s team in the table. Arsenal top the table with two points ahead of Manchester City.
“If you use that motivation and that hunger in the right way, certainly,” Arteta told reporters on Monday when asked whether rewatching the Villa match could inspire his players at the Emirates Stadium.
«We’ll look back. I have some ideas and things we need to do better. And it was pretty brutal too, the way we lost it. But yeah, we learned from it.»
Villa’s double against Arsenal played a major role in derailing Arteta’s title ambitions in 2023/24, with the London club finishing runners-up for the past three seasons and aiming for their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
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Arteta said Villa are genuine title contenders this season, although Emery has played down his chances.
«Well, they are meant to be there. Look at what they do and how consistent they have been, what Unai has done with the club. So I think they fully deserve that honor because they do it on the pitch where you have to show your level,» Arteta said.
ARSENAL WANTS OPPONENTS TO SUFFER, ARTETA SAYS
Arsenal, who are missing key players including Kai Havertz, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White through injury, may look to recruit in January.
“Depending, as I said, on the availability of certain players… we have to actively look, and whether we can do it or not, that’s another story, but our job is to always be well prepared because something can happen, so hopefully very positive,” Arteta said.
Arsenal have benefited from four own goals this month and Arteta was asked whether these were the result of pressure on the opposition or simply down to luck.
«Well, that’s what we want, that every opponent who comes here suffers… against Villa we have a very tough match. We know them, what they do, and also a nice match to prepare and play,» he said.
Published on December 29, 2025
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