Cold night, cold goodbye and sore loser: Emery walks away from Arteta
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 31.12.25. | 14:02
Arsenal crush Aston Villa 4-1, but the image that lingers is Unai Emery heading straight down the tunnel, skipping the traditional handshake
Mikel Arteta paid Unai Emery back with interest for the last-gasp defeat in Birmingham, as Arsenal demolished Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates and opened up daylight in the Premier League title race.
After 11 straight victories, Villa survived only one half in north London. The second was a footballing lesson, as the Gunners steamrolled Emery's side with ruthless intensity.
After the final whistle, one moment caught everyone's eye: Emery heading straight down the tunnel without waiting to shake Arteta's hand. As usual, English media pounced. Fans piled in. And the question echoed loudly: why did the Aston Villa manager not wait for his compatriot, as tradition dictates?
Unai Emery cleared it up post-match.
"It's simple. My routine is always the same and very quick. Handshake, then straight to the dressing room with my players and staff. I waited. He was celebrating with his coaches. I decided to go inside. There's no problem at all. I can't wait forever - it was cold," Emery told Sky Sports.
Arteta was equally relaxed.
"You saw what happened. It's fine, absolutely fine. It's part of the game. No issue at all," said the Arsenal boss.
As for the match itself, Emery admitted where it slipped away.
"We competed fantastically in the first half and had momentum. We defended very well and didn't concede a single corner. We felt comfortable. But then we conceded early in the second half. Onana's injury didn't help - he's very important for set pieces and in midfield.
🚨🔴‼️ Emery on why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand after Villa’s loss 😂:
— Arsenal Zone (@ArsenalZNE) December 30, 2025
“After finishing the match my routine is always quick, shake hands.
I was waiting. Of course (Arteta) was happy.
I decided to go inside.
I can’t wait forever. It’s cold outside.” pic.twitter.com/xlLpTSBPCF
"We didn't give up. We kept fighting, scored a goal and created more chances. Arsenal are the best team in the league and the main favourites for the title. I don't even know if this is round 19 or 20 - we've already played Arsenal twice and now we face Nottingham Forest - but I'm happy with the ambition we are showing and the way we're setting our objectives."
A calm explanation, but the verdict was already written on the pitch. Arsenal were superior, relentless, and unmistakably in command of the title race.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 19
Tuesday
Burnley - Newcastle 1-3 (1-2)
/Laurent 23 - Joelinton 2, Wissa 7, Guimaraes 90+3/
Chelsea - Bournemouth 2-2 (2-2)
/Palmer 15 pen, Fernandez 23 - Brooks 6, Kluivert 27/
Nott. Forest - Everton 0-2 (0-1)
/Garner 19, Barry 79/
West Ham - Brighton 2-2 (2-1)
/Bowen 10, Paqueta 45+4 pen - Welbeck 32 pen, Veltman 61/
Arsenal - Aston Villa 4-1 (0-0)
/Gabriel 48, Zubimendi 52, Trossard 69, Jesus 78 - Watkins 90+4
Man. Utd - Wolverhampton 1-1 (1-1)
/Zirkzee 27 - Krejci 45/
Thursday
20.30: (2.25) Crystal Palace (3.35) Fulham (3.25)
20.30: (1.53) Liverpool (4.20) Leeds (6.25)
23.00: (2.35) Brentford (3.40) Tottenham (3.00)
23.00: (7.25) Sunderland (4.40) Man.City (1.45)
***odds are subject to change***
