The spectre of Unai Emery continues to loom large over the Emirates Stadium. Despite his departure from Arsenal more than six years ago, the Spanish manager has established his Aston Villa side as a formidable and recurring obstacle to his former club's Premier League ambitions.
A Psychological Hold Over the Gunners
Ever since Aston Villa snapped a four-match losing streak against the Gunners with a 1-0 home win in December 2023, the dynamic has shifted. Under Emery, Villa have become a thorn in Mikel Arteta's side. Their 2-0 victory at the Emirates a few months later proved catastrophic, ultimately contributing to Arsenal losing the title as Manchester City capitalised.
While Arsenal managed an impressive 2-0 win at Villa Park early last season, the Birmingham club's comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 in January this year highlighted persistent fragility. The recent, dramatic 2-1 victory for Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's late winner, was a fresh reminder of this psychological hold.
Arteta's Challenge: Stopping a Record-Breaking Villa
Mikel Arteta now faces the immense task of halting a Villa side in rampant form. Unai Emery's team have equalled a club record of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions and are on a run of nine straight Premier League victories, each by a single goal. For the meticulous Arteta, this is the definitive challenge.
Arsenal's response to their last defeat by Villa has been five consecutive wins, though performances have raised concerns. A reliance on fortune is evident: four of their last six goals across all competitions have been own goals. Furthermore, a nervous atmosphere descended upon the Emirates recently when Brighton pulled a goal back in a game Arsenal had controlled, hinting at the pressure of being perennial runners-up.
Key Returns and Attacking Worries
There is positive news in defence with the imminent return of Gabriel Magalhães. The influential centre-back made a substitute appearance against Brighton after a six-week groin injury layoff and his presence could be crucial in solidifying a backline. With Jurriën Timber still out, Declan Rice is expected to continue at right-back.
However, attacking profligacy remains a worry. Arsenal have struggled to kill games, a flaw that cost them 21 points from winning positions last season. Their top scorer in the league is Viktor Gyökeres with just five goals, highlighting a lack of a consistent focal point. The returns of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus from injury are therefore eagerly anticipated.
As 2025 draws to a close with Arsenal likely to remain top, the visit of Villa represents the final hurdle. With a daunting 2026 schedule featuring Liverpool and a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City, overcoming the Emery hurdle is not just about revenge; it's a vital statement of intent in a title race where margins are razor-thin.
