- Opta’s supercomputer has predicted who will win the Premier League after Arsenal suffered their first defeat since August
- Arsenal went down to Aston Villa in a cruel fashion after conceding a goal in stoppage time from Emiliano Buendia
- Manchester City beat Sunderland to reduce the gap to just two points after 15 game weeks, with Aston Villa closely behind
Arsenal’s unbeaten run was finally ended on Saturday after they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Aston Villa.
Source: UGC
Emi Buendia came off the bench to score with the last kick of the game to end Arsenal’s run, which stretched to 18 games.
The last time Mikel Arteta’s team lost was in August to Liverpool before the Reds’ form spiralled out of control.
The loss saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to just two points after Manchester City beat Sunderland comfortably.
Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki were the stars of the show as the Black Cats conceded more than two goals for the first time since their return to the league.
“In my experience, to win the Premier League, it’s about consistency. The consistency comes from the way you play and how much you grow, whether you are 2-1 behind or 4-1 in front,” said Guardiola via the club’s website.
“In the Premier League, we had the feeling that Arsenal are going to drop a few points and if you want to be there, you have to win games, and that comes from the way you perform – not just a lucky day or lucky action.”
Source: Twitter
Supercomputer predicts EPL winner
After the results, Opta’s supercomputer has still predicted Arsenal to win the league, but their percentage has dropped to 72.26%.
Manchester City are now second with 18.66% while Aston Villa have overtaken Chelsea to take third place with 5.94%.
“When you look at where they are, the way they play, they have beaten some big teams, especially at home. Everybody is going to have to play everybody, so at the moment they are where they are and we are there as well,” said Arteta when asked if Aston Villa were in the title race.
Chelsea only have a 1.09% chance after their winless run stretched to three games. They were held by Bournemouth to a frustrating goalless draw on Saturday.
After midweek European assignments, the league will resume next weekend, where Chelsea will welcome Everton, Arsenal host bottom-placed club Wolves, while Manchester City will be away to Crystal Palace.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will also be in London to face relegation-threatened West Ham.
Why Calafiori will be suspended
For their game against Wolves, Arsenal will miss the services of Riccardo Calafiori, who triggered a one-match suspension in the defeat to Aston Villa.
The Italian was booked in the 72nd minute, making it his fifth yellow card of the season, which attracts a one-match ban.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is expected to fill in.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
