Arsenal heading for straightforward Premier League title win after ‘assertion’ victory in opposition to Aston Villa, says Paul Merson

Paul Merson believes Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League simply after they blew in-form Aston Villa away with a “assertion” 4-1 win on the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, who had been with out the injured Declan Rice, scored 4 instances in a rampant second-half show to finish Premier League title rivals Villa’s club-equalling 11-match profitable streak.

“It felt like greater than three factors, psychologically,” mentioned Sky Sports activities‘ Jamie Carragher.

After scraping previous Wolves, Everton and Brighton of their earlier three fixtures, Arsenal had been removed from their fluent finest in opposition to Villa in a primary half the place the burden of expectation of ending a 22-year look forward to a title gave the impression to be hanging over them.

However they got here alive after the break with a efficiency which can function a warning to Manchester Metropolis forward of their match in opposition to Sunderland on New Yr’s Day, reside on Sky Sports activities (kick-off 8pm).

“It was an impressive half-hour from Arsenal within the second half,” Merson mentioned on Soccer Particular. “They suffocated Aston Villa and made them look fairly common ultimately.

“It is a large consequence for Arsenal.

“There have been a few outcomes the place they’ve simply fallen over the road in opposition to Wolves and Brighton. They had been tight video games however up in opposition to probably the most in-form group in nation, if not Europe, and Arsenal have dismantled them.”

He added: “With the lead having been two factors a draw in opposition to Villa and a Man Metropolis win on New Yr’s Day, Pep Guardiola’s facet would go prime. However now, they’ve a five-point lead, they usually have three additional objectives as a result of objective distinction might be essential with it being so tight.

” Arsenal, with the away fixtures they’ve already performed and this consequence in opposition to Villa, I do not know who will cease them. They play all the large groups other than Man Metropolis at house and enjoying like that, it is onerous to see them being stopped.

“I believe they win the Premier League fairly simply.

“It was an announcement consequence and Man Metropolis can have been watching. They are going to be pondering wow after that from Arsenal.”

Carra: Greater than three factors for Arsenal

Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher:

“It’s an enormous end in numerous methods. The calibre of the opposition, the primary time Arsenal have crushed an actual rival this season, scoring objectives and ensuring the stadium wasn’t nervous ultimately.

“Arsenal wanted that!

“It felt like greater than three factors, psychologically. The sensation across the coaching floor tomorrow might be utterly completely different.

“Gabriel being again is large. Earlier than I’ve mentioned that he is probably the most influential participant within the Premier League, and we have seen it once more tonight.

“It was incredible for everyone in that stadium tonight.”

Jesus: We received due to mentality

After a goalless first half, the house facet had been forward inside three minutes of the second interval when Emiliano Martinez flapped at Bukayo Saka’s nook and the ball rolled in off Gabriel’s thigh.

Arsenal doubled their benefit on 52 minutes after Martin Zubimendi transformed Martin Odegaard’s beautiful defence-splitting move, with Leandro Trossard scoring from lengthy vary after 69 minutes to place the sport firmly out of Villa’s attain.

Gabriel Jesus then netted his first objective since New Yr’s Day simply moments after approaching in its place earlier than Ollie Watkins scored a comfort for the guests in damage time.

The spectacular victory was the proper tonic for Mikel Arteta’s gamers in opposition to a group that dealt them a stoppage-time 2-1 defeat at Villa Park simply 24 days in the past.

“It was wonderful,” Jesus advised Sky Sports activities.

“It is at all times onerous to play in opposition to Villa. They arrive right here always and attempt to harm us.

“In the beginning you could possibly see they had been making an attempt to delay the sport. However we received due to the mentality.”

Arteta delighted with ‘prolific’ Arsenal

“I am so completely happy,” mentioned Gunners boss Mikel Arteta of his facet’s emphatic show. “We play each three days, and in the present day we performed an opponent that has received 11 video games in a row.

“They’re an outstanding group, very troublesome to play in opposition to, and we knew that we had been going to have durations all through the sport.

“We talked about emotionally how demanding it was going to be and we struggled within the first 10 minutes. Then we adjusted, obtained a bit extra management. We did not handle to attain after which within the second half we clicked.

“We competed for all the pieces significantly better. The timing was higher and the person objectives had been fulfilled in a rare approach, and we had been so environment friendly in all the pieces that we did.

“Not like in the previous few video games the place we had so many large conditions, in the present day we had been very prolific and correct to make the distinction.”

‘Arsenal improve title credentials with assertion win’

Sky Sports activities’ Nick Wright on the Emirates Stadium:

“That seems like an announcement win for Arsenal. They’ve struggled to take their possibilities in latest video games. Not a lot in opposition to Aston Villa. They had been completely ruthless in that second half.

“All of it appeared constructive for Villa at half-time, with the scores goalless and Arsenal struggling to interrupt them down. However they may not cope because the hosts upped it after the break.

“The Arsenal gamers at the moment are being clapped off as they full a lap of appreciation. 5 factors clear, their title credentials enhanced as Villa’s take a major hit.”

What’s subsequent for Arsenal?

The Gunners journey to Bournemouth on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities; kick off 5.30pm.

They then finish their festive set of fixtures with a house sport in opposition to Liverpool, additionally reside on Sky Sports activities on Thursday January 8; kick off 8pm.