Premier League REVIEW 31 Aug 2026: the model backed Arsenal away, and Saka made the call good

Our model liked Arsenal to win even as the away side, and they duly did — 0-1 at Aston Villa, a single Bukayo Saka finish on 59 minutes the difference. Eberechi Eze released Riccardo Calafiori down the left and his low ball across the six-yard box was turned in by Saka, his second goal in as many league games. Arsenal kept the clean sheet and Aston Villa managed nothing on target.

It was closer than a 1-0 usually looks. Aston Villa struck the crossbar through Emiliano Buendia in the first half, and debutant goalkeeper Zion Suzuki kept them in it with a string of saves. Arsenal had a penalty overturned three minutes before the goal, Saka's fall under Ian Maatsen judged to be outside the box, but he had the final word on the hour regardless.

There were subplots at both ends: Ezri Konsa, back at the club he left in the summer, came on to help Arsenal see it out, while Mikel Arteta lost Cristhian Mosquera to a late leg injury on a nervous deadline week. Arteta was content: "It's a massive win at a tough place to come and earn three points."