Supercomputer gives new Premier League title verdict for Liverpool & Arsenal after Brentford & Aston Villa twists

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes took a dent on Saturday afternoon as drama in fixtures across London proved decisive. Liverpool struck twice in stoppage time to beat Brentford 2-0 thanks to a Darwin Nunez double.

In the later kick off, the Gunners went 2-0 up against Aston Villa but two goals in eight minutes from the visitors saw all three points slip from Arsenal’s grasp. Liverpool are now six points clear of the Gunners and Nottingham Forest who are level on points in second and third, respectively. Up next for Arsenal is a home tie against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League before they travel to Wolves in their next Premier League outing on Saturday.

Liverpool are also in European action in midweek as they host French side Lille at Anfield with a home game against Ipswich Town next up.

Arteta reacts to draw

On his side’s draw with Villa, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “I think every situation is very different. As well we have come back from situations more than probably before as well. Today, you have to give credit to the opposition, Digne puts in an unbelievable ball, and Tielemans arrives in there. The second one is not at the standards we require and overall again, what the game showed and how we performed, the scoreline and reflection is nowhere near.

“Incredibly proud of the team, I think it was an immense performance, immense. Against this team, what they’ve done, after playing three times in six days, with the same players, not having enough to change it, I cannot be prouder of that. Then, very disappointed with the result, obviously, we can fault ourselves as well because defending the way we did especially with one of the goals as well, it cannot be part of our game if we want to be at the highest level in this country because the rest is, what else can I ask the team to do against a really good side.”

He added: “Even though after conceding the two goals very close to each other, the danger was because I knew half the team was, that we could go downhill because we were physically drained. Suddenly, the team found another gear to go again and just put Aston Villa in their box and go and go again, trying to find the goal that we haven’t been able to score at the end.”

Opta predicts Liverpool title

Data experts at Opta have rolled out their supercomputer once again to predict each team’s final points and placings, along with every side’s chances of winning the title. Arsenal and Liverpool are considered the only serious contenders as no other side has been give more than a one per cent chance of finishing first. After the round of midweek games that saw Liverpool held by Nottingham Forest and Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur - the Opta supercomputer predicted Arsenal were 13.02% likely to win the league compared to 86.53% for the current leaders.

After the weekend’s action, those numbers have shifted somewhat dramatically. Arsenal’s hopes of Premier League glory are now rated at 8.66% compared to 90.99% for Arne Slot’s side - the Reds are being tipped to end the season around nine to 10 points above Arsenal with Manchester City in third and Forest in fourth - just ahead of Newcastle United and Chelsea.