The festive period in the Premier League is famous for its high intensity, but the temperature reached boiling point at full time during Arsenal’s commanding 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on December 30. As the final whistle blew, the cameras captured a frustrated Unai Emery heading straight for the tunnel, appearing to ignore his counterpart Mikel Arteta. The move immediately ignited social media, with fans and pundits debating whether the former Arsenal boss had intentionally snubbed the man who replaced him.

When pressed on the incident after the match, Emery was quick to dismiss the narrative while simultaneously highlighting the festive atmosphere of the Arsenal coaching staff. He claimed that his routine is always quick and that he was actually the one waiting to shake hands while Arteta was busy celebrating with his bench. The tension is understandable, as the defeat stalled Villa’s momentum in their push for the top of the table. This directness from coaches is becoming a trend, similar to how Pep Guardiola just put Oscar Bobb’s future in the player’s own hands by telling the media to ask the player instead of him. Just as Pep deflected questions about his youngster, Emery chose to deflect the drama surrounding his exit from the pitch.

Beyond the tactical battles on the pitch, the financial gap between the traditional elite and the rest of the league is wider than ever. Recent financial data has revealed Manchester United top England’s most valuable clubs list, a reminder that clubs like Villa and Arsenal are fighting for market dominance in a billion-dollar industry. This financial pressure makes every point crucial, especially for the league's newest contenders. It is not just the giants at the top either; even the newly promoted sides are making an impact. Fans have been impressed by Sunderland’s stunning return and how the Black Cats are thriving back in the Premier League this season, proving that the entire league is becoming more competitive.

For managers like Emery and Arteta, maintaining a healthy squad through this period is almost as difficult as the matches themselves. The physical toll of the winter schedule has been evident across the league. For example, a recent Chelsea injury update confirms Cole Palmer is ‘okay,’ but Liam Delap is set for weeks out, which serves as a cautionary tale for any manager hoping to keep their best eleven on the field.

Despite the handshake controversy, there is no denying the machine that Arteta has built in North London. Tactical experts have spent the last few weeks diving into Arsenal’s title challenge and a tactical breakdown of why the Gunners lead the 2025/26 Premier League, noting that their ability to unsettle opponents is no fluke. Emery’s frustration may stem from just how difficult it has become to break down this Arsenal side.

The drama between these two coaches will likely simmer until their next meeting, but fans do not have to wait long for more high-stakes action. The league moves directly into the new year with a packed schedule. If you are planning your viewing, be sure to check the list of New Year’s Day 2026 football and the best Premier League matches to watch on January 1st.

As domestic rivalries heat up, the global football community is also looking toward international tournaments where similar tactical battles await. Just as Emery and Arteta are fighting for control in England, national team coaches are finalizing their plans for the upcoming year. This includes the highly anticipated African showcase, where Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman lead the Super Eagles’ tactical preview of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign.

Ultimately, the handshake that never was is a symptom of the immense pressure at the top of the Premier League. Whether it was a simple misunderstanding or a sign of genuine friction, it has added yet another layer of drama to a title race that shows no signs of slowing down.