Unai Emery defended his decision not to shake Mikel Arteta\u2019s hand by claiming it was \u201ccold\u201d at the Emirates after his former club Arsenal ran riot to secure a statement 4-1 win.<\/p>\n
Arsenal sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League following second-half goals from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus. Ollie Watkins scored a consolation for Aston Villa in injury time.<\/p>\n
Villa had been on a club record-equalling 11-match winning streak but they were dismantled by Arteta\u2019s side in brutal fashion in a defeat which leaves them six points off the championship pace.<\/p>\n
At the final whistle, Arteta shared a brief embrace with his backroom staff before he headed to the opposing dugout to greet Emery.<\/p>\n
However, the Spaniard had already made his way down the tunnel following a handshake with fourth official Thomas Kirk.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is simple,\u201d said Emery when asked about the non-handshake in his post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can watch. After I finish the match, my routine is always quick, I shake hands, and I go with my coaches, with my players to the dressing room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was waiting, I was waiting. He was happy, of course he was happy. He was with his coaches. And I decided to go inside. But for me it is no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\nHow each team’s points from this season look at the end of 2025 \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/qDeS1Ect2n<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Premier League (@premierleague) December 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Further vindicating his decision to Sky Sports, Emery added: \u201cAlways my routine is go to the opposition coach, shake hands and go inside. If he is not doing the same rule, I can\u2019t wait\u2026 it was cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arteta, who succeeded Emery as manager of Arsenal, said of the post-match flashpoint: \u201cYou saw it, but it\u2019s OK, it\u2019s all good. That is part of the game and it\u2019s not unusual at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But they came alive after the break with a performance which will serve as a warning to Manchester City ahead of their match against Sunderland on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy,\u201d said Arteta of his side\u2019s emphatic display. \u201cWe play every three days, and today we played an opponent that has won 11 games in a row.<\/p>\n
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\nRounding off 2025 in a BIG way\u00a0\u270a pic.twitter.com\/HmfY4PgmQi<\/a><\/p>\n