Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his team “know what we want” after a ruthless 4 1 home victory over Aston Villa strengthened their Premier League title push. The Gunners ended 2025 five points clear of second placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand, while Villa sit six points behind the leaders.
Arsenal took control in the second half at the Emirates after a costly error from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose failure to deal with a corner allowed Gabriel Magalhaes to bundle in the opener. Martin Zubimendi quickly added a second before Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus finished clinically to complete the emphatic win. Ollie Watkins scored a late consolation for Villa after they failed to turn first half dominance into goals.
Arteta said the performance showed Arsenal have the quality and mentality to win their first league title in 22 years. He called 2025 a great year personally and professionally and insisted that in 2026 the club is focused and ready to work hard every day to achieve its ambitions.
He praised his players for a “beautiful evening” against a “top opponent” and highlighted how Arsenal raised their level after a shaky opening 10 minutes. Arteta said the team was efficient in everything during a powerful second half spell and noted that recent narrow wins had now been backed up by a convincing display.
The Spaniard singled out Brazil defender Gabriel, who was starting for the first time since a six week injury layoff, for his composure against in form striker Ollie Watkins. He said Gabriel was tremendous and showed how important he is to Arsenal’s defence.
There was a minor post match talking point when Villa boss Unai Emery said he did not shake hands with Arteta because his compatriot was busy celebrating with his staff. Arteta played down the issue, saying such things happen in emotional moments and that it was not a problem for him.
Emery blamed Martinez’s mistake and an injury to midfielder Amadou Onana for changing the game’s momentum. He said Arsenal showed their power once Villa lost control in midfield and noted that referees in England tend to allow more contact on goalkeepers at set pieces.
About the author
Fuel price hike: Presidency faults Obi on strategic reserve proposal
The Presidency has rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Nigeria’s rising fuel prices are mainly due to a lack of strategic petroleum reserves.It said Obi’s comments oversimplify a complex problem and ignore the deeper structural challenges that have long affected the country’s energy sector. In a statement shared on social media, presidential aide Dada Olusegun argued that recent increases in petrol prices are largely driven by global market forces, not the absence of strategic reserves.He noted that many advanced economies with large reserves still experience price swings because reserves are not used simply to stop normal market movements. Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s main problem lies in decades of low refining capacity, heavy dependence on imported petrol, and pressure on the foreign exchange market.He said these long term issues make the country highly vulnerable whenever international […]
National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era. The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago. According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology. […]
Gavi ready to play for Barcelona after injury
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says Spanish midfielder Gavi is ready to return to action after spending several months out with a knee injury.The 21 year old has received medical clearance and could feature for the first time since August in Barcelona’s next league match at Camp Nou. Gavi suffered a serious injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee last year and later underwent surgery, which kept him on the sidelines for around five months.He has since completed a rehabilitation programme and recently rejoined full group training with the rest of the squad. Flick explained that the club’s medical staff now consider Gavi fit enough to be reintegrated into competitive games, even if he only plays limited minutes at first.The coach added that the final decision on how many minutes he will get depends on how the match goes […]
Ejuke back in Sevilla training ahead of Barcelona clash
Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke has returned to full training with Sevilla ahead of their La Liga clash with Barcelona.The Nigerian missed Wednesday’s session due to a minor ailment but was back with the squad on Thursday, easing fears over his fitness. Reports from Spain say Ejuke took part in team drills and tactical work, indicating he is available for selection for the trip to Camp Nou.His return is a big boost for manager Matías Almeyda, who has been dealing with several injuries in the squad. Defenders Kike Salas and Marcao, as well as forward Peque, are still sidelined, but other players carrying minor knocks have also resumed training.This has slightly improved Sevilla’s options as they prepare for a difficult visit to the La Liga leaders. Ejuke has contributed one goal and one assist for Sevilla this season, adding pace […]
Akor Adams ready and motivated to face Barcelona
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams says he is highly motivated and looking forward to facing Barcelona in Sevilla’s upcoming La Liga clash.The Nigerian forward believes the game is another chance to make history and prove himself against one of the biggest clubs in world football. Adams recently ended a frustrating goal drought by scoring in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.He described the goal as a major confidence boost and said it has put him in a positive frame of mind ahead of the trip to Barcelona. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda confirmed that Adams is in good spirits and fully focused on the task ahead.According to the coach, the striker is working hard in training and understands how important the match is for Sevilla’s season. Adams has been an important player for Sevilla this campaign, […]
Veteran gospel singer Toun Soetan dies at 73
Veteran Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter Toun Soetan has died at the age of 73, leaving the Christian music community in deep mourning.Her death was confirmed in a family statement and by close associates on Friday, March 13, 2026. Toun Soetan, also known as Evangelist Shouet, was widely celebrated as the original composer of the popular Christian chorus Darling Jesus, a song that has been sung in churches across Nigeria and beyond for decades.Through this and many other songs, she built a strong legacy of worship music that touched generations of believers. Reports indicate that news of her passing was first shared on social media by family members and fellow ministers of the gospel.Tributes quickly began to pour in from fans, church leaders, gospel artistes, and colleagues who described her as a devoted minister and a consistent voice in gospel […]
Related
Gavi ready to play for Barcelona after injury
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says Spanish midfielder Gavi is ready to return to action after spending several months out with a knee injury.The 21 year old has received medical clearance and could feature for the first time since August in Barcelona’s next league match at Camp Nou. Gavi suffered a serious injury to the medial meniscus in his right knee last year and later underwent surgery, which kept him on the sidelines for around five months.He has since completed a rehabilitation programme and recently rejoined full group training with the rest of the squad. Flick explained that the club’s medical staff now consider Gavi fit enough to be reintegrated into competitive games, even if he only plays limited minutes at first.The coach added that the final decision on how many minutes he will get depends on how the match goes […]
Ejuke back in Sevilla training ahead of Barcelona clash
Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke has returned to full training with Sevilla ahead of their La Liga clash with Barcelona.The Nigerian missed Wednesday’s session due to a minor ailment but was back with the squad on Thursday, easing fears over his fitness. Reports from Spain say Ejuke took part in team drills and tactical work, indicating he is available for selection for the trip to Camp Nou.His return is a big boost for manager Matías Almeyda, who has been dealing with several injuries in the squad. Defenders Kike Salas and Marcao, as well as forward Peque, are still sidelined, but other players carrying minor knocks have also resumed training.This has slightly improved Sevilla’s options as they prepare for a difficult visit to the La Liga leaders. Ejuke has contributed one goal and one assist for Sevilla this season, adding pace […]
Akor Adams ready and motivated to face Barcelona
Super Eagles striker Akor Adams says he is highly motivated and looking forward to facing Barcelona in Sevilla’s upcoming La Liga clash.The Nigerian forward believes the game is another chance to make history and prove himself against one of the biggest clubs in world football. Adams recently ended a frustrating goal drought by scoring in Sevilla’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.He described the goal as a major confidence boost and said it has put him in a positive frame of mind ahead of the trip to Barcelona. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda confirmed that Adams is in good spirits and fully focused on the task ahead.According to the coach, the striker is working hard in training and understands how important the match is for Sevilla’s season. Adams has been an important player for Sevilla this campaign, […]
Haaland’s agent dismisses Barcelona transfer rumours
Erling Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has rubbished reports linking the Manchester City striker with a summer move to Barcelona, insisting there has been no contact with the Catalan club. Recent speculation in Spain suggested that Barca presidential hopeful Victor Font and other figures around the club were exploring a deal to lure Haaland to Camp Nou in the coming seasons. Some reports claimed that Barcelona had already started sounding out the player’s camp. But speaking in an interview with Spanish TV show El Chiringuito, Pimenta said there is “a lot of respect and admiration” for Barcelona, yet no one from the club or any presidential candidate has made contact about a transfer. She stressed that Haaland is “very happy” at Manchester City and fully focused on his current project under Pep Guardiola. The agent also pointed out that the Norwegian […]
Sabalenka storms into semis as Medvedev reaches Indian Wells last four amid controversy
World number one Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant form at Indian Wells, reaching the semi finals with a straight sets win over Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko. Sabalenka prevailed 7–6(0), 6–4 in one hour and 51 minutes, but was pushed hard by the 19 year old 10th seed, who recently won the 2025 Canadian Open and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour. The Belarusian did not drop serve, landing 94 percent of her first serves and saving all five break points she faced to secure a fourth straight Indian Wells semi final. She will next face Czech player Linda Noskova, who ended the impressive run of Australia’s Talia Gibson with a 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 victory to book her own place in the last four. In the other semi final, Elina Svitolina will meet Australian […]
EPL: Spurs fight for survival as Arsenal gear up for title charge
Tottenham Hotspur travel to Liverpool on Sunday desperately searching for salvation in their fight against relegation, while Premier League leaders Arsenal look primed for another push in the title race. Spurs have lost their last six matches in all competitions, the worst run in the club’s history. Igor Tudor’s side sit 16th, just one point above West Ham and Nottingham Forest, and could drop closer to the bottom three if results go against them before they kick off at Anfield. The north Londoners were thrashed 5–2 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in midweek, a chaotic night in which Tudor substituted goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes following two costly errors. With only nine league games left and no win in their last 11, Tottenham know they must “dig deeper” to […]