Happy Monday Gooners!
A Statement of Supremacy: Arsenal 4-1 Aston Villa
The final match of 2025 was a direct showdown with third-placed Aston Villa, a team that had dealt Arsenal painful defeats and riding on a club-record 11-match winning streak. For 45 tense minutes, the contest was a cagey tactical affair, with Villa’s dangerous counter-attacks causing concern and the Gunners struggling to find their usual fluency.
What transpired after halftime was nothing short of a masterclass in assertive, dominant football. Mikel Arteta’s men were transformed, scoring three goals in a blistering 15-minute spell that effectively decided the contest. The catalyst was defender Gabriel, returning from injury. He rose to meet a Bukayo Saka corner, pressuring former Gunner Emiliano Martínez into an error and bundling the ball home just three minutes after the restart. Four minutes later, a sublime, defence-splitting pass from captain Martin Ødegaard sent Martin Zubimendi clear to double the lead. The game was then sealed by a Leandro Trossard thunderbolt from the edge of the box and a stunning, curling finish from substitute Gabriel Jesus, his first goal since returning from an 11-month injury layoff.
This emphatic 4-1 victory ended Villa’s remarkable run, avenged the earlier defeats, and sent Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table to end the calendar year.
The Hard-Fought Win: Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal
Three days later, the challenge was of a different nature. It was a tricky away fixture against a Bournemouth side that had done the double over Arsenal the previous season. The match began in nightmare fashion as Gabriel’s misplaced pass across his own box gifted Bournemouth’s Evanilson an open net after just 10 minutes.
True to their newfound resilience, Arsenal responded immediately. The villain turned hero as Gabriel redeemed himself, lashing in an equalizer just six minutes later after excellent work from the lively Noni Madueke. With the game in the balance, the match turned into a showcase for Declan Rice. The midfielder, who was a doubt for the game with a knee injury, proved indispensable. He coolly put Arsenal ahead with a low drive from the edge of the area in the 54th minute and made it a double, his first-ever Premier League brace, by finishing a Bukayo Saka cutback with 19 minutes to go. Despite a stunning long-range consolation from Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, Arsenal held firm to secure a vital, if nervy, three points.
This 3-2 victory highlighted the steel within this Arsenal side. As Arteta himself noted, the team showed remarkable “personality and presence” to overcome a poor start and manage a difficult away ground. The win extended their lead to six points, after Man City was held to a draw by Chelsea.
Premier League – Arsenal vs Liverpool – No live screening
Date: Friday, 9th January 2026, Kick-off: 4.00 AM
No live screening
The Emirates Stadium hosts a titanic clash as Arsenal welcome fourth-placed Liverpool. While the Gunners are flying, Liverpool arrives on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, looking to regain the consistency that saw them start the season with five straight wins.
For Arsenal, it represents another hurdle in a relentless January schedule and a chance to put further distance between themselves and a traditional rival. For Liverpool, it’s a prime opportunity to prove that their early-season stutter is behind them and to derail the momentum of the league leaders. One thing is certain that the Emirates will be rocking for a match that promises high stakes, high intensity, and a major impact on the Premier League’s top-four and title races.
FA Cup – Portsmouth v Arsenal – Live screening (TBC)
Date: Sunday, 11th January 2026, Kick-off: 10.00 PM
Live screening – TBC (Look out for confirmation via IG/FB)
This fixture presents a classic cup contrast between a Premier League giant and a Championship side in distress. Portsmouth enters this match under extremely difficult circumstances. They are currently 21st in the Championship, just one point above the relegation zone, and are in the midst of a severe injury crisis.
With a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool just days before, Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his starting lineup significantly.
Arsenal Singapore Mid-Season Party – 31 January 2026
There are many slots available for the Mid-Season Party: a fantastic night of food, games, FC26 competition, Lucky Draw exclusively for our members. The event is on 31 January 2026 at 7.00 pm at BQ Bar. The main event of the late evening will be the Live Screening of the Premier League match between Leeds and Arsenal, with kick-off scheduled for 11.00 pm. Space is limited to 150 members. The registration deadline is on 24 January 2026 at 11.59 pm.
Secure your spot to guarantee entry! The link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyrBfYW-lWFYekjUJO2w23jBfB9SUaC7bjojBj0_EaIDQNcw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=108764162040365193234
We will be giving away an Arsenal Singapore car decal during the event. Make sure you register for the party to claim yours and display your Gunners pride on the road!
Look out for the latest updates via FB, IG, Arsenal Singapore WhatsApp Channel and WhatsApp Chatgroup. If you want to be added to the group chat, please email me your name, membership number and handphone number.
Please follow our new Instagram page via: https://www.instagram.com/arsenal_singapore_official/
– Membership issues: membership@arsenalsingapore.com.
– Match tickets application: dhanesh@arsenalsingapore.com.
– Membership benefits: lance@arsenalsingapore.com
COYG!
Shai
Arsenal Singapore
Arsenal Singapore 