Mikel Arteta has downplayed the likelihood of Ethan Nwaneri leaving Arsenal on loan this month, insisting "every player has a role". Nwaneri came off the bench against Club Brugge in the Champions League in early December but has not played a single minute in the five matches since.

Get the latest team news, stats, tactics, TV coverage and much more ahead of our Premier League trip to the Vitality Stadium

Without some of their best players as Declan Rice missed out with a knee injury, Arsenal were able to go five points clear atop the Premier League after defeating Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium with a four-minute double from Gabriel and Martin Zubimendi.

An emphatic defeat of a title rival answered many of the questions that had been bubbling up around Mikel Arteta's side

Two of Arsenal’s Brazilian Gabriels have come under scrutiny for how they celebrated Tuesday’s 4–1 win over Aston Villa.

Arsenal ensures it will end the year top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 4-1 at home in a powerful statement win with all goals scored in the second half

Arsenal demolish Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium to deliver a statement win in the Premier League title race. Four goals in the second half - from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus - move Mikel Arteta's side five points clear at the summit. Ollie… pic.twitter.com/xRNTMhosVM

On-pitch official Sam Barrott and VAR Michael Salisbury both overlooked the foul, much to the dismay of the home crowd and Toffees manager David Moyes. In the immediate aftermath of the decision, the Premier League Match Centre said there was “insufficient” contact to warrant a penalty.

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow with star midfielder Declan Rice ruled out of Tuesday’s gigantic clash with Aston Villa. Rice starred in Arsenal’s 2-1 win against Brighton at the weekend as he marauded up and down the flank as he was asked to play out of position at right back with several other players out injured.

Goals by Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi early in the second half gave Arsenal control of a game that had looked fraught with danger.