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Arsenal beats Aston Villa 1-0 as Saka scores

9/1/2026

Summary

Arsenal Beats Villa

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal in the 59th minute from a Calafiori cut-back.
VAR cancelled a penalty and downgraded it to a free-kick before the goal.
Arsenal rose to six points while Villa remain pointless and goal-less.
Cristhian Mosquera left the match with an apparent leg injury in the second half.

Summary

Arsenal Triumphs

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called the win massive and praised squad depth.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said the team showed solidity and optimism despite loss.
Former Villa defender Ezri Konsa debuted for Arsenal after his £55 million transfer on August 21.
One end of Villa Park stayed closed for construction work aimed at increasing stadium capacity.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made his Premier League debut for Villa after a £30 million signing from Parma.

History

Historical Context

Arsenal’s 2003-04 Premier League title, achieved without a loss over 38 matches (26 wins, 12 draws), echoed Preston North End’s 1888-89 unbeaten double, the original “Invincibles”. Managed by Arsène Wenger, the squad set a club record 49-game unbeaten run, later commemorated by a gold trophy presented to Wenger in May 2018. The current win under Mikel Arteta recalls that legacy.

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Arsenal Beats Villa

Arsenal beat Aston Villa 1-0 at Villa Park.
Bukayo Saka scored the only goal in the 59th minute from a Calafiori cut-back.
VAR cancelled a penalty and downgraded it to a free-kick before the goal.
Arsenal rose to six points while Villa remain pointless and goal-less.
Cristhian Mosquera left the match with an apparent leg injury in the second half.

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