Honestly, if you looked at the 4-1 scoreline from the Emirates at the end of December, you’d think Arsenal just steamrolled them. Easy day at the office, right? Not even close. For about 45 minutes, Unai Emery had Mikel Arteta in a metaphorical headlock. It’s kinda wild how the narrative changes the second the ball hits the back of the net, but that match—and the brewing rivalry between these two clubs in 2026—is way more complicated than a simple blowout.
The Emery Hex and Why It Finally Broke
For the longest time, Unai Emery was basically the "Final Boss" that Arteta couldn't beat. Heading into that December 30 clash, Arteta’s record against his predecessor was pretty grim. We're talking four losses in eight games. Only guys like Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp had given him more headaches. Emery doesn't just play Arsenal; he treats it like a personal mission.
The first half of the most recent Arsenal v Aston Villa league game was a masterclass in frustration. Villa sat in that compact 4-4-2 block, and the Gunners looked completely toothless. Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal's big summer signing, was heading everything everywhere except the goal. Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins were just lurking. When Rogers scored right before the half, the Emirates went silent. You could feel the "here we go again" energy in the air.
But then, the second half happened. And it wasn't just luck. It was a tactical shift that basically dismantled Villa’s festive-period fatigue.
How Arteta Flipped the Script
Whatever was said in that dressing room at halftime needs to be studied. Arsenal came out like a different team. The breakthrough didn't come from some intricate tiki-taka play, though. It was Gabriel Magalhães—who hadn't started since early November—basically bullying Emi Martinez to nod home a Bukayo Saka corner.
Once that happened, the floodgates didn't just open; they collapsed.
- Martín Zubimendi (the guy everyone wanted in the summer) hit a ridiculous outside-of-the-boot finish.
- Leandro Trossard did what he always does: came on and looked like the smartest player on the pitch.
- Gabriel Jesus scored a screamer just 55 seconds after coming off the bench.
The most telling part? Jesus got a yellow card for "excessive celebration." It tells you everything about the pressure these players feel when they face Villa. This isn't just another game for them anymore. It’s a title race hurdle.
More Than Just the Men's Game
We can't ignore what’s happening today, January 18, 2026. While the men’s side is currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, the women just finished their own chapter of the Arsenal v Aston Villa saga in the FA Cup.
Arsenal Women took a 2-0 win at Meadow Park, and it was a mirror image of the men's tactical struggle. A scoreless, grinding first half followed by a clinical second. Kim Little and Stina Blackstenius did the damage. It's interesting how both Arsenal squads seem to have figured out the "Villa Code" lately: weather the first-half storm, exploit the depth in the second.
The Injury Factor
One thing nobody talks about enough is how thin the margins are right now. Arsenal won that FA Cup tie today without Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly. In the men's 4-1 win, they were missing William Saliba.
Villa, on the other hand, looked gassed. They had a club-record winning streak going into the Emirates game, but the wheels fell off. You saw it in the 81st minute when Lamare Bogarde picked up a yellow for a tired, cynical foul. If Villa wants to actually stay in the top three and challenge the big boys, they’ve gotta find a way to rotate without losing that Emery "bite."
What We Learned About the 2026 Title Race
If you're betting on the Premier League this year, the Arsenal v Aston Villa result was a massive siren. Arsenal moved five points clear at the top. They look like a team that has finally learned how to suffer.
In previous seasons, going 1-0 down to an Emery side meant a long, painful afternoon of sideways passing. This version of Arsenal—with Zubimendi anchoring the middle and Hincapié adding steel to the backline—just feels more robust. They don't panic.
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Key Takeaways for the Rematch
- The Set-Piece Weapon: Villa is weirdly vulnerable here. Arsenal’s first goal in the 4-1 win came from a corner. If you can outmuscle Mings or Konsa, you break their spirit.
- The "Emi Martinez" Factor: The former Arsenal keeper is world-class, but he gets rattled by the Emirates crowd. He made a rare error for the first goal, and it changed the momentum.
- Squad Depth: Arsenal’s bench (Jesus, Trossard, Madueke) is lightyears ahead of what Villa can bring on when Rogers or Tielemans get tired.
Your Move Next
If you’re following this rivalry, the next big date to circle is the return fixture at Villa Park. Historically, that's where Arsenal's title dreams go to die. To get ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the fitness of Martin Ødegaard. He was the one who released Zubimendi for that second goal, and everything Arsenal does revolves around his ability to find space in Emery's narrow midfield.
Don't just look at the scorelines. Watch how the full-backs (like Jurriën Timber or Calafiori) tuck into the midfield during the second half. That’s where the game is won.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the midweek injury report for Gabriel Magalhães; his physicality is the only reason Arsenal broke the deadlock.
- Review the tactical highlights of the Women's FA Cup game from today (Jan 18) to see how Renée Slegers used the same "second-half surge" strategy.
- Monitor Manchester City’s results—Arsenal's five-point lead is big, but City has games in hand.