Overview
- Arsenal will finish the first half of the season top on 45 points regardless of Manchester City’s result, with City on 40 and Aston Villa on 39.
- Gabriel scored on 48 minutes before Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus added goals at 52, 69 and 78, with Jesus striking after replacing Viktor Gyökeres.
- Declan Rice was absent due to a knee problem from the previous match, and Arsenal struggled in the first half before taking control.
- The win halts Villa’s surge of eight straight league victories and eleven across all competitions, avenging Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at Birmingham on December 6.
- The outcome further underlines Arsenal’s title push as they chase a first Premier League crown since 2004.