Just 24 days ago, Arsenal suffered a 1-2 defeat at Villa Park, with Emiliano Buendia scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time, ending their 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Since that match on 6/12, both Arsenal and Aston Villa have maintained perfect winning records, intensifying their title challenge ahead of today's rematch at Emirates.

"We anticipate a challenging match," Arteta stated in his pre-match press conference. "We understand Aston Villa's quality. This is a significant game to prepare for and play, as it concludes 2025. We will review the previous encounter; there are areas for improvement. Losing in the final minutes was tough, but we will learn from that experience."

When asked if the first-leg defeat could serve as motivation for the rematch, the Spanish tactician expressed his determination for revenge: "If you use that feeling correctly, it will certainly have an effect."

Head coach Mikel Arteta (left) reacts during Arsenal's 1-2 loss to Aston Villa in Premier League round 15 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on 6/12. Photo: *Reuters*.

Aston Villa is in excellent form, having won their last 11 matches across all competitions, equaling a club record set in 1914. Notably, Aston Villa has secured eight Premier League victories, placing them third in the standings, just three points behind Arsenal.

While Unai Emery asserted it is too early to discuss title chances, Arteta believes Aston Villa is a strong contender. "They fully deserve their current position," he stated. "Looking at what they are achieving, their consistency, and what Unai has accomplished with the club, I believe they merit respect."

Arteta then emphasized the importance of the mid-season transfer window, as Arsenal faces squad depletion. In their 2-1 victory over Brighton last weekend, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Cristhian Mosquera sustained injuries, Gabriel Magalhaes was only fit enough for the bench, and Riccardo Calafiori encountered a problem during warm-up, forcing Declan Rice to play right-back.

"We will carefully assess the situation and recovery times of our players, from attack to defense," Arteta stated. "Other clubs have 24 or 25 players in their squad, so our squad size isn't unique. We've experienced more injuries than anticipated; some are unavoidable, but we must improve to ensure optimal readiness throughout the season."

Currently, Arsenal has 25 first-team players according to the club's official website, but some players under 21 years old are not counted towards the squad quota, creating opportunities to add players via transfer or loan. Arteta emphasized: "We must proactively assess what additions are needed and be prepared to act when the transfer window opens. We hope for a very productive transfer window."

Regarding potential player departures, Arteta stated that the decision rests with Sporting Director Andrea Berta. "We evaluate each case individually," the 43-year-old coach explained. "For specific players, we will find the best solution for both the club and them."

Hong Duy (via Sky Sports, Arsenal.com)