Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: “It is a beautiful evening. That was a very tough match, as we knew it would be, because they are a top opponent to play against. The first 10 minutes were a bit shaky and we had to adjust things, but credit to them because they managed to break our press twice and were able to run which they are very dangerous at. After that, we grabbed the game and we were creating the chances. The way we started the second half was amazing, we really turned things up and were efficient in everything that we did. We had to be really meticulous and understand the timing at which we were doing everything. It’s a big credit to my players because against this team it isn’t easy.
“We have created a lot of chances in the last few weeks but we saw the difference today. We needed scrappy goals to win other games but today the quality of our finishing was top and made the difference.”
On Gabriel’s importance in the team: “We saw it today. He came back after six weeks out, which should’ve probably been eight weeks out but he came back earlier. He composed himself against probably one of the best strikers in the league, who is very hard to mark. I thought he was tremendous.”
On Unai Emery walking down the tunnel straight after the final whistle: “It’s not an issue. Sometimes we are in this sort of moment, so it’s not an issue for me.”
Arteta speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It was amazing. We knew we played against a team that won 11 games in a row in a great emotional state. They are a really fabulous team. They keep you on the edge in a reaction. And in the first half in the first 10 minutes we mistimed a few things and they opened us up and they are really dangerous there. After we had some more control we came up in the second half and I thought we were outstanding.”
On Gabriel scoring: “Both boxes I think the person and character he brings to the team is something else. He’s been out for six weeks, he hasn’t played yet and today he has to play against the most dangerous team, especially with space in behind, and he was fabulous”
On Gabriel Jesus scoring: “Great. He looked sharp. Very ambitious. I think Viktor [Gyokeres] did really, really well as well in the front line but Gabi took his chance so well, so another one on board.”
On whether tonight was a statement win: “It’s another three points is the only thing that matters. We know how long this is going to be. It’s been an incredible 2025. We know what we want from 2026, we’re going to have to earn it and we’re still a long way away.”
On whether Declan Rice will be back on the weekend: “I think so, if that swelling comes down in the next few days he will be in a better place. But the good thing is without a lot of players still the team is able to perform in that way and win the game.”
Arsenal goalscorer Gabriel Jesus, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think it was amazing. It’s always hard to play against them. They have brilliant players. They come here all the time, they hurt us. And it was clear early in the game they were trying to delay the game. Everyone could see that. The mentality of the team is really, really grow and each game is growing even more and I think we are winning today because of the mentality.”
On Gabriel returning: “I said after the last game when they asked me about him, the moment he stepped on the pitch you could see the difference of our backline. The way we defend. He loves to defend the way I love to attack and he loves to score goals as well.”
Arsenal goalscorer Gabriel Magalhaes, speaking to Sky Sports: “First I was to say thanks God because it was difficult days for me. I always want to help the team. I’m so happy to be back and I think today was a brilliant day for everyone, how we work together. I think we need to keep going. We are so happy.
“It’s difficult to play against them. They want to delay the game but we know we play at home and the second half we’re just pushing. We score the first goal and after the team was unbelievable.”
Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers speaking to Sky Sports: “It got difficult because they are such a good team. They are where they are in the league for a reason. They are relentless and they just keep going. I thought we were really good in the first half, we were really proud of how we played. On another day we might’ve created one more clear-cut chance to maybe go in front, but they were really solid and really good. In the second half, they just kept the pressure on and it’s really tough to come to a place like this. We knew we would have to ride our luck but they were just too clinical – sometimes that happens.
“Nothing really changed on either side in the second half, but once you get that opening goal then the momentum comes with it. When you’re 1-0 up then you get more confidence and play more freely, that’s definitely what happened for them. When the goals started coming thick and fast, you knew it was done.
“It’s nothing bad to lose 4-1 to the best team in the league at the moment. We just have to dust ourselves down and be proud of the winning run we’ve been on.”
On Mikel Merino’s challenge on him while being on a booking: “I have my own opinion, but so does everyone else. That’s just the way football is, some decisions go your way and some don’t. The decision might be disappointing on our side, but there are probably other games where other teams are disappointed when we get decisions.
“I always have my own opinion, sometimes it might be right and sometimes it might be delusional. The better team won today, so there can be no arguments.”
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Emery explains why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand; and Martinez gets dragged away from Arsenal fans…
@tinscognito__: Football can be quite dull these days good to see martinez rattled, Emery refusing to shake hands, etc.
@The_AFC_Lane: Just imagine the outcry if Arteta did this at Villa Park… Don’t give me this whole “he’s not gonna wait while Arteta celebrates with his coaches”. There was not one single part of Emery that wanted to shake Arteta’s hand here
@theavfcfaithful: He always does it. Arteta went walk abouts
@BabatundeComedy: What a sore loser!
@louieeee444: He walked quicker than Emi Martinez setting up for a goal kick
@jubzfree: He wants us to wait everytime his idiot GK takes flipping ages to kick a ball. Maybe he should wait a little too and see how it feels
@ArthurL93711199: Classy bunch 🙄🖕🏻
@JaikeS12: Emery refused to shake Artetas hand and this shmuck made sure the ball was in play 23 mins in the first half😂😂😂… I think its clear who’s classy mate
@Rory_Talks_Ball: Hahaha loves to give it but can’t take at all can he
@lizardking2_0: So I was at the game and didn’t get the full tea, but I’m hearing now that emery ran away from the handshake and emi span out. Which is wonderful wonderful news 🤣💦 the man wasted 16 mins in the first half at 0-0 and embarrassed his nation by using the world cup as a penis
@ekulkun: Sad that a player who won a trophy with this club and was here for 8 years has turned into this just because he has to try and be Billy big bollocks every time someone sticks a mic in front of his face
@ar1905_: A lot of these ‘Arsenal fans’ have sprung along after lockdown so they probably didn’t know that Emi Martinez actually played for them and was in goal for their last trophy.
@northbanksyafc: This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen all year! 😈😈😈
@WaynesWorld20_: Inject this directly into my veins
@racingblogger: Arteta getting the tunnel removed has gifted us this beautiful moment with the biggest cry baby in football.
@jayjaydenis: Even when he’s walking down the tunnel, he’s wasting time. Even when he was at Arsenal, he was wasting time on the bench. Emi Martinez is a waste of time.
