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Arsenal v Aston Villa | Match in 5 | Premier League Arsenal v Aston Villa | Match in 5 | Premier League team
Arsenal run riot in 4-1 win over Aston Villa in top-of-the-table clash
Arsenal scored four times in a rampant second-half display to secure a statement 4-1 win over Premier League title rivals Aston Villa at the Emirates.
After a goalless first half, the home side were ahead inside three minutes of the second period when Emiliano Martínez flapped at Bukayo Saka’s corner and the ball rolled in off Gabriel’s thigh.
Arsenal doubled their advantage on 52 minutes after Martín Zubimendi converted Martin Odegaard’s exquisite defence-splitting pass, with Leandro Trossard scoring from long range after 69 minutes to put the game firmly out of Villa’s reach.
Gabriel Jesus then netted his first goal since New Year’s Day just moments after coming on as a substitute. Ollie Watkins scored a consolation for the visitors in injury time.
The impressive victory was the perfect tonic for Mikel Arteta’s players against a team that dealt them a stoppage-time 2-1 defeat at Villa Park just 24 days ago.
It also brought to an end Villa’s club-equalling 11-match winning streak, and quite possibly their ambitions of making it a three-way fight for the title.
Arsenal, who were without the injured Declan Rice for the first time in the league this season, now move five points clear of Manchester City. Villa are six points off the championship pace.
After scraping past Wolves, Everton and Brighton in their previous three fixtures, Arsenal were far from their fluent best in a first half where the weight of expectation of ending a 22-year wait for a title appeared to be hanging over them.
But they came alive after the break with a performance which will serve as a warning to City ahead of their match against Sunderland on Thursday.
And their opener, as it so often does, arrived from a set-piece. Martinez was in a world of bother as he pondered whether to catch or punch Saka’s inswinger, and in the end he did neither. Under pressure from Gabriel, Martinez could not gather the ball and it ended up in his net off the Arsenal defender’s left thigh.
A VAR check followed to see if Martinez had been fouled by Gabriel but the goal stood, and just four minutes later, the home side were celebrating a second.
This one was all about Odegaard who won possession inside the Villa half and was afforded time to play a deft left-footed pass into Zubimendi’s path, with the Spaniard poking the ball past an on-rushing Martinez.
Jurriën Timber fired high from a corner before Odegaard, enjoying a fine game as Arsenal’s conductor, also blazed over. The captain came close to adding a third for his side but Martinez diverted his long-range shot for a corner.
However, the Argentine could do nothing with Trossard’s effort a handful of minutes later. Odegaard found Saka at the back post before Lucas Digne dithered which allowed Timber to pounce.
The ball fell to Trossard before he fired low and hard and into the bottom corner and Arsenal were in dreamland. Another VAR probe ensued to see if Saka was offside in the build-up. He was not and the goal stood.
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The Arsenal fans might have thought their evening could not get any better only to see Jesus, who replaced the goal-shy Viktor Gyökeres, score with his first touches of the ball.
Odegaard was involved again, hooking the ball over the top to Zubimendi, who found Trossard, and then Jesus who took one touch to open his body before angling a curling shot past Martinez with 12 minutes to go.
Watkins continued his impressive personal run against Arsenal with his seventh strike across 13 games, but it was the only sour note of a stunning evening for Arteta’s title-chasing men.
Game Information
Emirates Stadium
London, England
Referees:
Darren England
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Here’s the latest confirmed list of Liverpool’s January (2026) signings and transfer activity so far (updates as of 9 January 2026):
✅ Confirmed Liverpool Signings (January 2026)
Noah Adekoya – 19-year-old centre-back signed from Burnley and has joined the club, likely initially with the U21s. �
The Liverpool Offside
Mor Talla Ndiaye (sometimes reported as *Mor Ndiaye/Talla Ndiaye) – 18-year-old Senegalese centre-back agreed to join Liverpool, expected to feature with the youth/U21 side initially. �
The Liverpool Offside +1
Ifеanyi Ndukwe – 17-year-old Austrian centre-back with a deal agreed; he’ll join Liverpool when eligible (typically summer 2026 or once administrative conditions are met for youth moves). �
Football Transfers +1
👉 These moves are mostly youth defensive signings as Liverpool look to bolster long-term depth — especially at centre-back. They are not senior first-team stars but promising young prospects. �
TEAMtalk
🔄 Other January Transfer Activity
Owen Beck returned from his loan at Derby to Liverpool — this is a return from loan rather than a fresh signing. �
ESPN.com
James Norris left Liverpool permanently, joining Shelbourne. �
ESPN.com
⚠️ Rumours & Targets (Not Confirmed Yet)
Liverpool have been linked with or are said to be interested in various players but none are officially signed yet:
Joel Ordóñez – Belgian centre-back (linked but unconfirmed). �
Harvey Elliott – linked with a return from Aston Villa (rumour). �
Attacking targets like Yan Diomande, Michael Olise, Yankuba Minteh have been mentioned as potential January targets, though nothing is confirmed. �
This Is Anfield
Federico Chiesa is reportedly attracting interest from Juventus away from Liverpool — not a confirmed exit yet. �
Black & White & Read All Over
📊 Summary Table
Category
Player
Type
Status
In
Noah Adekoya
CB
Confirmed
In
Mor Talla Ndiaye
CB
Agreed / Pending
In
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
CB
Agreed / Youth
Return
Owen Beck
LB
Returned from loan
Out
James Norris
LB
Permanent move
(CB = Centre Back, LB = Left Back)
If you want, I can also list every Premier League January transfer done so far (not just Liverpool). Just let me know!
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Liverpool deal ‘agreed’ as Marc Guehi update drops after Arsenal play their hand
As of today there is no confirmed transfer that Liverpool have signed Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
There are only ongoing transfer rumours and interest reports — but no official confirmation that the move has happened. �
Sky Sports +1
📌 Current Situation
Marc Guehi is still a Crystal Palace player and is expected to continue there this season — Palace boss Oliver Glasner has said he believes Guehi will remain at Selhurst Park this January. �
Sky Sports
His contract expires at the end of the season and he refused a new deal, so he’s likely to leave when that contract ends. �
Sky Sports
Liverpool remain interested, but according to reliable sources they are not planning to complete the transfer now; they may wait for Guehi to move as a free agent in summer 2026. �
Goal
🚨 Rumours (but not confirmed)
Liverpool had a bid in the past, and discussions have taken place, but Crystal Palace blocked the deal previously because they couldn’t secure a replacement. �
Goal
Other clubs (e.g., Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid) have also shown interest. �
Football365
✅ Official stance: No, Liverpool have not confirmed the signing of Marc Guehi.
If you want the latest verified update (e.g., around live transfer window changes), let me know and I can pull that for you.
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Arsenal completes their first ever January transfer signing as £65m Winger who scored 15goals this season so far joins Arsenal on a 5yr deal with option for further season,player was on stand to watch Arsenal game last night
Arsenal transfer news: Ethan Nwaneri reaches exit decision as £80m agreement eyed
Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest transfer news surrounding Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is hoping his Arsenal team can go all the way this season
Arsenal may be in the midst of a title race but they are still working quietly behind the scenes on transfers. Mikel Arteta has already admitted the club is willing to spend in January should the opportunity arise.
Heading into the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Thursday night, the Gunners hold a five-point advantage over rivals Manchester City, with an opportunity to stretch that to eight points after 21 games with a win over the title holders.

Arteta’s stacked squad, thanks to a summer of heavy expenditure on quality players, ensured they came out of an injury-riddled past four months unscathed, as some key players recently made their return to fitness.
Yet, in a division as tough as this and with four trophies to fight for, there is always room for squad improvement. Here, Mirror Football brings you two of the latest transfer developments involving the north London club.
Read more

Arsenal transfer news: Windfall boost expected from contract clause and tug-of-war with rivals


Arsenal can prove Liverpool star wrong and put Man City to bed along with bottlers label

Ethan Nwaneri makes exit decision
Ethan Nwaneri reportedly wants to stay and fight for his place in the Arsenal team for the remainder of the season. The 18-year-old has attracted attention from Bournemouth this month, with the Premier League side eager to sign him on loan until the end of this campaign following the sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.
There is a sense that a temporary move would benefit Nwaneri given his lack of playing time this season. The Hale End academy product has been left out of the last few matchday squads after seeing his playing time decrease drastically compared to last season. He has made only six Premier League appearances since scoring four league goals in 26 matches last term.
Ethan Nwaneri has been less involved this season(Getty Images)
With the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and now injury returnee Kai Havertz ahead of the youngster in the pecking order, some believe Nwaneri needs a move to continue his progression. However, Arsenal do not want to sell the player due to his obvious talent.
The Independent reports Nwaneri feels he can learn more by being part of a serious title challenge, meaning he is happy to remain patient and assess his situation at the end of the season, when he may well have a league trophy to his name.
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