Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side are starting to see the benefits of their hard work as the Gunners enter 2026 at the top of the Premier League.
Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 win at home against title rivals Aston Villa left Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who travel to Sunderland on New Year’s Day.
Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2004 and when asked whether this could be the season that finally ends more than two decades of title frustration, Arteta praised his side’s «belief and energy».
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“We play every two and a half days, the schedule is very demanding, we have some very tough matches and injuries, but the players are still winning, so winning helps with that,” he said.
“All the sacrifices and dedication you put in are reflected in results and great performances. That is so satisfying, but we know there is still so much to play for.”
The Spaniard added: «It’s a great way to end the year, that’s for sure. We’ll have a good night with our families (on New Year’s Eve), but the next day we’ll be there and we have to go to Bournemouth (on Saturday), and we know what that means.»
After narrow one-goal wins in their three previous league games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Brighton and Hove Albion, Arsenal scored four in a match for the first time since a resounding North London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on November 23.
“We needed this game,” said Martin Zubimendi, who scored alongside Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus against Villa for Arsenal to dominate the second half.
“We played at home, we wanted to finish the year on top, and against Aston Villa, a great team, they are almost perfect tactically, so we are very happy with the performance.
“In the first half we struggled a bit with the counter-attacks. At half-time we adjusted some moves and in the second half, when we scored the first and the second, the game was so open and we managed to score four.
“We noticed the willingness of the audience, always pushing, always wanting more.”
Published on December 31, 2025
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