Unai Emery may have departed from Arsenal over six years ago, but his lingering influence on the club remains palpable. Since Aston Villa overturned a four-match losing streak against the Gunners with a 1-0 victory in December 2023, Emery has emerged as a persistent obstacle in Mikel Arteta’s quest for success.
Villa’s subsequent 2-0 victory at the Emirates proved pivotal in Arsenal’s title aspirations, allowing Manchester City to capitalize on their faltering momentum down the stretch. While Arsenal secured a solid 2-0 win in Birmingham early last season, they were unable to maintain their form, dramatically allowing Villa to equalize from a two-goal deficit in January—a result that reflected Arsenal’s struggle to keep pace with Liverpool in what was a challenging title race.
As the two clubs faced off again recently, it was no surprise that Emery managed to disrupt the Gunners once more, leading Villa to a last-minute 2-1 triumph. The former Arsenal manager, who faced the daunting task of succeeding Arsène Wenger in 2018 and was granted just 18 months in charge, has consistently downplayed any desire for vengeance against his old club. However, Villa’s current form—having achieved a remarkable 11 consecutive wins—is a testament to Emery’s capability as a manager.
Arteta, known for his attention to detail, will embrace this challenge head-on. Following Villa’s last victory over them, Arsenal has responded with five consecutive wins, although their performances have raised questions. In an unusual statistic, four of their last six goals have come from own goals, equal to the total from their previous 182 goals combined. Adding to the difficulties, injuries continue to plague the squad.
The return of Gabriel Magalhães, who came off the bench against Brighton after a six-week absence due to a groin injury, offers a silver lining for Arsenal’s defense. Declan Rice is also expected to fill in at right-back if Jurriën Timber remains sidelined, while uncertainties loom around Riccardo Calafiori.
Arteta captured the tension surrounding the squad after Brighton managed to score in a match that Arsenal seemed to control, expressing the desire to convert opportunities into goals. “We all want to win so badly,” he affirmed, emphasizing the need for composure in front of goal. The Gunners have struggled with closing out matches, having dropped 21 points from winning positions last season, although they have thus far managed to avoid that fate this time around.
With only five goals, Viktor Gyökeres currently leads Arsenal’s scoring charts in the Premier League, an indication that the team needs more firepower, which could soon be bolstered by the returns of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus from injury. However, their reliance on set pieces remains a concern, particularly with Gabriel’s expected comeback.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s upcoming matches against formidable opponents, including Liverpool at the Emirates and a trip to face Manchester City, promise to be crucial in defining their journey in 2026. As Arteta celebrated his sixth anniversary with the club, the pressure is squarely on him to deliver results that will both satisfy the fans and solidify his position. Retaliating against Emery and Villa would not only help in keeping pace with Manchester City but also demonstrate Arsenal’s intentions to reclaim their status among England’s elite.