### Arsenal's Dominance and the Handshake Snub: A Clash of Managers On December 31, 2025, Arsenal delivered a commanding performance against Aston Villa, winning 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium. This match was marked by a series of contentious referee decisions and ended with Aston Villa's manager, Unai Emery, not shaking hands with Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, which sparked discussions in the football community. Emery later explained that his decision to skip the handshake was due to the cold weather and his routine of quickly heading to the dressing room after matches, emphasizing that there were no hard feelings between the two managers [https://www.soccernews.com/thats-ok-arsenal-boss-mikel-arteta-reacts-to-aston-villas-unai-emery-not-shaking-hands-video/394118, https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/2151960/unai-emery-mikel-arteta-arsenal-aston-villa]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Reactions 1. **Match Overview**: Arsenal's victory was significant, as it allowed them to maintain a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, showcasing their strong form, particularly in the second half of the match [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/unai-emery-jokes-cold-outside-handshake-miss-mikel-arteta-10449037]. 2. **Handshake Controversy**: The absence of a handshake between Emery and Arteta became a focal point of post-match discussions. Emery's explanation centered around his routine and the cold conditions, which he humorously referenced as a reason for his quick exit [https://www.goal.com/en-au/lists/unai-emery-explains-why-he-did-not-shake-mikel-artetas-hand-after-aston-villa-drubbing-at-arsenal/blt8b6729534079bfa4]. 3. **Arteta's Response**: Mikel Arteta expressed understanding regarding the situation, indicating that he did not take the snub personally. This response was consistent with the professional rapport both managers have maintained despite their competitive roles [https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-emery-handshake-arsenal-win-33143939]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Statistics**: Arsenal's 4-1 victory included goals from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard, and Gabriel Jesus, highlighting their offensive prowess [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/unai-emery-mikel-arteta-arsenal-36477241]. - **Emery's Comments**: Emery stated, "After the match, always my routine is quick -- shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the dressing room," which reflects his typical post-match behavior [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/emery-defends-failure-to-shake-hands-with-arteta-after-villa-loss-to-arsenal-1927431]. - **Public Perception**: The incident has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts, with some labeling it as "classless" while others see it as a minor issue blown out of proportion [https://www.justarsenal.com/unai-emery-fails-to-shake-artetas-hand-after-embarrassing-loss-to-arsenal/406942]. ### Conclusion: A Professional Rivalry with No Hard Feelings In summary, the match between Arsenal and Aston Villa not only showcased Arsenal's dominance in the Premier League but also highlighted the nuances of sportsmanship between managers. 1. **Arsenal's Performance**: The Gunners' strong second-half display solidified their position at the top of the league. 2. **Emery's Handshake Snub**: The lack of a handshake was attributed to routine and weather conditions, with no animosity implied. 3. **Arteta's Understanding**: Both managers have publicly downplayed the incident, maintaining a professional relationship. **Overall**, while the handshake snub drew attention, it appears to be a minor footnote in the context of a significant match and the ongoing rivalry between the two clubs [https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/unai-emery-defends-decision-not-to-shake-mikel-arteta-hand-as-arsenal-beat-villa/a598864110.html].