Unai Emery has addressed the situation following Arsenal’s commanding 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, after cameras captured a moment where he appeared not to shake hands with Mikel Arteta following the final whistle on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
The victory allowed Arsenal to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, a crucial advantage as the season enters its pivotal stages. Arsenal’s performance, particularly in the second half, showcased their attacking depth and determination to maintain their title challenge.
Arsenal Pulls Away in Second Half
The first half had been a tight affair. Aston Villa, who had the opportunity to draw level with Arsenal in points with a win, kept the score 0-0 at halftime, creating a tense atmosphere at the Emirates.
After the break, Arsenal came out aggressively. Gabriel Magalhaes, making a much-anticipated return, opened the scoring just three minutes into the second half. Following this breakthrough, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus all added goals to secure a convincing lead. Ollie Watkins managed a consolation goal for Villa deep into injury time, but it did little to dampen Arsenal’s triumph.
The win was a statement of intent from the Gunners, emphasizing their dominance at the top of the table while signaling to title rivals Manchester City and Aston Villa that the race is far from over.
Emery Explains the Handshake Incident
After the final whistle, Arteta was seen celebrating with his coaching staff before moving toward Aston Villa’s bench, seemingly looking for Emery. The Villa head coach was not immediately visible, leaving Arteta momentarily uncertain.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Emery clarified that there was no deliberate avoidance in the handshake incident. The former Arsenal manager, who led the club for 18 months after Arsène Wenger’s departure, explained the routine that followed matches.
“After the match, my routine is always quick handshakes. I was waiting. Of course, he (Arteta) was happy with the result, but he was still with his coaching staff, and I could not wait longer,” Emery said.
“I was right there, and there was no problem. I then went into the dressing room,” he added, emphasizing that the situation had been misinterpreted by onlookers and media alike.
No Issue Between Managers
Arteta also addressed the incident in a composed manner, confirming that he viewed the moment as no cause for concern.
“It’s not an issue. Sometimes situations like this happen, so for me, there’s no problem,” the Arsenal manager remarked.
Both managers maintained a professional stance, highlighting the mutual respect and understanding expected at the top level of football, even in the heat of competition.
Aston Villa’s Run Comes to an End
The defeat marked the end of Aston Villa’s impressive streak. Prior to this match, Villa had won 11 consecutive games across all competitions, including a victory against Arsenal in their first meeting earlier this month. Despite the loss, Villa remain third in the Premier League table, maintaining a strong position in the title race.
Looking ahead, Manchester City have the opportunity to keep the pressure on Arsenal when they face Sunderland on Friday, January 2, 2026. The title race remains highly competitive, with Arsenal needing to maintain focus and consistency in the coming weeks.
Professionalism Prevails
The incident between Emery and Arteta serves as a reminder of how quickly moments on the touchline can be misinterpreted by fans and media. Both managers demonstrated professionalism, with Emery providing a calm explanation and Arteta treating the matter lightly.
“This is football,” Emery noted. “Emotions run high, but there is respect between colleagues. The focus is always on the players and the match.”
Arteta echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that rivalries on the field do not necessarily translate into personal conflicts.
Conclusion
Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Aston Villa was not only a key result in the Premier League title race, but also an illustration of the Gunners’ depth, resilience, and attacking prowess. The post-match handshake situation drew attention but was clarified promptly by Emery, who confirmed there was no intentional snub or bad blood between him and Arteta.
With Villa maintaining their strong league position and Manchester City ready to challenge at the top, the race for the 2025/26 Premier League title promises to be thrilling. Meanwhile, the professionalism shown by both Emery and Arteta underscores the respect and decorum that remain fundamental in modern football, even amid intense competition.
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