Gabriel’s Resounding Return: Arsenal Triumphs Against Aston Villa

After recovering from an adductor injury sustained while on international duty in November, Gabriel made a notable return to the pitch. He stepped off the bench to contribute 19 minutes in Arsenal’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton on December 27. Just three days later, he was back in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup for the encounter with Aston Villa.

The match at Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal struggle in the first half against a determined Villa side, featuring former Gunners goalkeeper Emi Martinez. However, the deadlock was finally broken three minutes into the second half, with Gabriel playing a pivotal role. He managed to outmaneuver Martinez during a corner, nudging the ball over the line to secure a vital goal. This set-piece strike set Arsenal on the path to victory, allowing them to enter 2026 five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The atmosphere in Arsenal’s camp was understandably jubilant as they celebrated putting an end to Villa’s impressive streak of 11 consecutive wins. Gabriel took the opportunity to playfully taunt his domestic rival, Onana, as he returned to the dressing room. The Belgium international had developed a habit of mimicking the gesture of putting three points in his pocket after Villa’s victories, a routine that had become a signature celebration after their wins against Manchester United and Chelsea.

Following the match, Villa’s head coach Unai Emery departed hurriedly, clearly disappointed, and Gabriel’s playful antics may have added to the somber mood among the Villans. Nevertheless, Gabriel insisted that his post-match celebration was all in good fun. When asked if he had directed his actions towards Onana, he confirmed, “Yes, yes. Those sort of things spur you on. It’s good fun. We got the three points, and it wasn’t to get back at them. I know he’s a good guy. It was just something to celebrate.”

Arsenal had previously faced a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Villa Park on December 6 but succeeded in avenging that loss before the year’s end. Gabriel expressed his satisfaction with his return, stating, “Personally, it feels very, very good. I’m very, very happy. It was a difficult day, but I worked hard to come back as quickly as possible. I’m so happy to be back with the team and contribute to a significant win.”

He emphasized the importance of focusing on their own performance rather than the competition, saying, “We need to go game by game and work together. We shouldn’t think about the other teams; we need to keep playing.”

Arteta praised Gabriel’s impact, highlighting his impressive comeback after a six-week injury layoff, stating, “He played against one of the hardest teams to control, especially with their front players. He significantly impacted the game both defensively and in the opposition box.”

As January approaches, Arsenal will remain focused, with a packed schedule ahead that includes nine games across four competitions, starting with a trip to Bournemouth. The month will also feature critical matches against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Leeds in the Premier League, alongside fixtures in the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.