Arsenal steady the ship at the perfect moment
For a few uneasy weeks, it had felt like Arsenal might be drifting. December began with a damaging home defeat to Aston Villa, and even victories over Wolves, Everton and Brighton arrived without conviction. The margins were slim, the performances laboured, and whispers of a familiar winter wobble grew louder.
Then came Tuesday night.
A ruthless 4-1 victory over Villa at the Emirates did far more than settle a score. It reasserted authority, restored belief and sent a message across the Premier League. This was not a side clinging to first place. This was a team prepared to defend it.
As the calendar flips to 2026, Arsenal sit top of the league, five points clear of Manchester City, with Aston Villa another point back in third. It is a position earned through resilience rather than flair, and one that now feels increasingly deserved.
“Arsenal doing what they did to Villa tells you where they are,” said Dion Dublin. “It’s all going right for them because everyone is contributing, the manager, the players, the staff.”
A performance that felt like a statement
The scoreline alone hinted at dominance, but the nature of the victory was even more striking. Villa arrived in north London in blistering form, riding an 11-match winning run and brimming with confidence under Unai Emery. They left chastened and overpowered.
For 45 minutes the contest was tight, physical and tense. But three minutes after the restart, the game flipped. Gabriel forced home a scruffy opener and the release of tension inside the stadium was almost audible. From that moment on, Arsenal were relentless.
The second half became a showcase of their maturity. They pressed higher, moved the ball quicker and punished every Villa mistake. This was not a chaotic burst of attacking football. It was control with menace.
Speaking afterwards, Danny Murphy described it as a landmark display. “Arsenal’s performance was a big statement. It was powerful, full of quality and showed their strength in depth.”
For a team often accused of flattering to deceive, it felt significant.
History offers caution but the mood feels different
Supporters of Arsenal have been here before, and they know better than most that being top at Christmas guarantees nothing.
They entered 2023 five points clear, only for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola to surge past them in spring. The scars of previous near misses still linger. In fact, of the last six times Arsenal ended a calendar year in first place, they only converted it into a title once.
That context explains the caution among fans. As Jamie Carragher put it, “It’s understandable. They’ve gone nearly 22 years without a league title. But the time to get really nervous is April and May, not now. There’s a long way to go.”
Statistics support the uncertainty. Only 52 percent of teams leading at the end of December have gone on to win the Premier League. Momentum can shift quickly, especially with relentless chasers lurking.
Yet there is a sense that this Arsenal side is learning from past pain rather than repeating it.
Defensive foundations make the difference
If there is one area where progress is undeniable, it is at the back.
Even during periods when Gabriel and William Saliba were unavailable together, Arsenal maintained the tightest defence in the division. Just 12 goals conceded in 19 league matches tells its own story.
Against Villa, the first time the pair had started together since early November, the impact was immediate. Calm on the ball, aggressive in the duel and commanding in the air, they offered a platform that allowed the rest of the team to play with freedom.
“Arsenal don’t panic,” said Danny Murphy. “They trust their defenders to play one v one and to cope. The partnership back together gave them the platform to produce that second half.”
There is an authority about this pairing now. Opponents feel it. Forwards sense it. And over the course of a title race, that fear factor matters.
Arteta’s calm message as the focus turns forward
After the match, Mikel Arteta was keen to strike a measured tone. No grand proclamations. No talk of destiny.
“We know how long this is going to be,” he said. “It’s been an incredible 2025. We know what we want from 2026, we’re going to have to earn it and we’re still a long way away.”
That mindset has become a defining feature of this Arsenal side. There is less emotional swing than in previous seasons. Fewer peaks and troughs. The response to adversity has been controlled rather than chaotic.
Arteta has spoken often about emotional stability. This felt like the clearest example yet of his message taking hold.
The chasing pack are not going away
None of this means the title race is close to settled.
Manchester City, serial winners under Pep Guardiola, remain a constant threat. Victory in their game in hand would immediately slash the gap and remind everyone how quickly they can gather momentum.
Villa too should not be dismissed. This defeat was heavy, but their progress under Unai Emery has been remarkable. A single night at the Emirates does not undo months of excellence, and they will expect to be part of the conversation deep into spring.
As Jamie Carragher summed up, “It’s a huge result in lots of ways. The calibre of the opposition, the manner of the victory, the second half performance. They completely demolished Aston Villa.”
But demolition does not equal coronation.
A different feel to this title push
What separates this campaign from recent ones is not just points on the board, but temperament. Arsenal have learned how to win without brilliance. They have learned how to suffer. And when the opportunity arises, they now seem ruthless enough to seize it.
The league table says they are the team to catch. Performances like this suggest they understand the responsibility that comes with that status.
For now, the wobble has been silenced. The pressure has been pushed back onto their rivals. And as 2026 begins, Arsenal are no longer just leading the race.
They are setting the pace.