Overview
- After a scoreless first half, Arsenal pulled away with goals from Gabriel (48'), Mikel Zubimendi (52'), Leandro Trossard (69') and Gabriel Jesus (78'), before Ollie Watkins netted a stoppage-time consolation (90+4').
- The result moved Arsenal six points clear of Aston Villa and, at that moment, five ahead of Manchester City, which still had its fixture at Sunderland to play.
- Villa arrived on eight straight league wins and 11 successive victories in all competitions, a run that included a December 6 defeat of Arsenal, but the streak ended at the Emirates.
- Elsewhere in the round, Manchester United drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton at Old Trafford and Chelsea were held 2-2 by Bournemouth, keeping both clubs off the pace.
- Post-match video showed Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez confronting home supporters as staff ushered him away after reported insults from the stands.