(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Tue 30 December 2025 22:23, UK

Mikel Arteta would have expected more from some of his Arsenal stars in their crunch Premier League clash against Aston Villa.

Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Brighton had meant the Gunners arrived at Emirates Stadium top of the table against their third-placed opponents.

Aston Villa had beaten Arsenal just weeks earlier, and Unai Emery’s side were on an eight-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Below are Arsenal’s three losers from their 4-1 win to Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.

Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres missed two chances in the first half for Arsenal, with the Swede doing well to connect with two crosses in the penalty area.

The striker does need to improve his hold-up play, as Ollie Watkins nearly benefited when Ezri Konsa dispossessed him in midfield.

Gyokeres has yet to prove his worth at Arsenal since his big move in the summer, in what will start to become a worry for Arteta.

Kai Havertz’s return to fitness means the German is likely to come straight back into the starting XI when match fit due to Gyokeres’ lack of goals.

Bukayo Saka

In one of Arsenal’s biggest games of the season, Arteta would have been frustrated at Bukayo Saka’s limited impact on the contest.

Saka had just four touches in the opposition box, and the Gunners looked to be targeting Aston Villa’s right side over the left flank.

The 24-year-old failed to produce an accurate cross and strayed offside twice as other attacking stars stole the show.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly has endured a frustrating season, with the 19-year-old behind Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order.

The left-back may have expected to start in his absence, but Arteta decided to start Piero Hincapie over the teenager.

Lewis-Skelly was given just over 10 minutes with the Gunners already 3-0 up in the contest, proving he has work to do get back into Arteta’s starting XI.