Unai Emery has explained the reason why he didn’t shake hands with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat to the Gunners in the Premier League
09:19, 31 Dec 2025Updated 09:21, 31 Dec 2025
Unai Emery has explained why he didn’t shake Mikel Arteta’s hand after Aston Villa’s defeat to Arsenal(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Unai Emery has revealed why he didn’t immediately shake Mikel Arteta’s hand following Aston Villa’s defeat at the Emirates Stadium – claiming the Arsenal manager ‘kept me waiting’. The defeat ended Villa’s extraordinary 11-match winning streak, marking their first loss in almost two months.
Villa held their own during the opening 45 minutes but fell behind early in the second half when Gabriel beat Emiliano Martinez to the ball from a corner. Martin Zubimendi then doubled the Gunners’ advantage shortly afterwards, before Leandro Trossard netted a third shortly after the hour mark.
Gabriel Jesus made an immediate impact off the bench to make it 4-0, with Ollie Watkins scoring a late consolation, tapping home from close range after some excellent play from Donyell Malen. Following the final whistle, Emery waited to shake Arteta’s hand but ultimately headed towards the dressing room as the Arsenal boss continued celebrating with his coaching staff.
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“It is simple, you can watch. Always my routine is quick,” Emery said when asked why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.
“I shake hands and then go with my players and coaches into the dressing room. I was waiting.
“He [Arteta] was waiting and he was with his coaches. I decided to go inside. For me it is no problem.”
Emery stated after the game why he believes Arsenal are the team most likely to win the Premier League title, while also explaining why he was pleased with Villa’s performance. “We competed fantastic in the first half and we had momentum. We had corners and defended well too. We didn’t concede a corner in the first half,” Emery said.
Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta shook hands before kick-off but not after the match(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“We felt comfortable, but we conceded the first goal in the second half. [Amadou] Onana’s injury didn’t help us as he is important from set-pieces and in the middle.
“We didn’t give up and we competed like we were doing. We were not giving up and we scored one goal and had other chances. Arsenal are the best team in the league and they are the favourite to win the title.
“I don’t know if it is the day 19 or 20 because we have played Arsenal twice and then we play Nottingham [Forest]. But I am happy with how we have set our ambitious demands.”
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