Arsenal emphatically ended Aston Villa's impressive 11-game winning streak with a commanding 4-1 victory on Tuesday, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, while Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves at Old Trafford. The Gunners, seeking their first Premier League title since the "Invincibles" season of 2003-2004, avenged their only loss in the last 25 matches across all competitions, which occurred earlier this month at Villa Park.

Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal's Spanish defender, was among the goalscorers, contributing to a dominant performance that showcased Arsenal's title credentials. The victory put pressure on their rivals, as both Chelsea and Manchester United failed to capitalize on opportunities to move into the top four.

Wolves, struggling this season, earned a valuable point at Old Trafford, a result that further dampened the mood around Erik ten Hag's Manchester United. The draw highlighted United's inconsistency, a far cry from the dominant force they once were under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea's woes continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth on Saturday, marking their sixth game without a win in seven league matches. The Blues, under pressure to deliver results after significant investment in the squad, find themselves languishing in mid-table.

The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, praised his team's resilience and focus after the game. "We learned from our previous defeat against Villa," Arteta said. "The players showed great character and determination to secure this important win."

The result leaves Arsenal in a strong position heading into the new year, but Arteta cautioned against complacency. "There is still a long way to go," he added. "We need to maintain this level of performance and continue to improve."

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed his disappointment with the draw against Wolves. "We didn't play with enough intensity," Ten Hag said. "We need to be more clinical in front of goal and defend better as a team."

The Premier League season continues with a full round of fixtures over the New Year period, with Arsenal looking to consolidate their lead and Manchester United aiming to bounce back from their disappointing draw. Chelsea, meanwhile, will be desperate to turn their form around and climb up the table.