Chelsea V Arsenal Betting

 

Chelsea V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 29 October 2011 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Stamdford Bridge

TV Coverage: LIVE on Sky Sports 2

 

Preview

Arsenal and Chelsea go head-to-head in the Premier League for the first time this season on Saturday and while Chelsea go into the match six-points ahead of their London rivals, you could argue that in actual fact it is Arsenal who arrive in better shape… kind of.

Disciplinary issues have dogged Chelsea’s preparations to the game, with the Blues having had three players sent off in the last two games alone – Ross Turnbull and Didier Drogba are both suspended for Saturday’s game but Jose Bosingwa, who was shown red at Loftus Road last weekend, served his one-game ban during the week at Everton. On top of this, there is an ongoing inquiry into allegations John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand in last Sunday’s 1-0 loss at QPR.

That defeat at Loftus Road was only Chelsea’s second of the season but it could prove decisive, even at this early stage. The Blues now trail leaders Manchester City, who have maintained an supernatural standard ever since the season began back in August, by six points. Defeat on Saturday and that gap could enlarge to nine, which, considering the unrelenting nature of Man City at this present time, could be a bridge too far for the Stamford Bridge lot.

Unbelievably, Arsenal go into the match in a better vein of form. Last week’s 3-1 win at home to Stoke was their second in quick succession in the league but their fourth on the trot in all competitions, with star man Robin Van Persie – the last Arsenal player to score at Stamford Bridge, back in November 2008, which, incidentally, was the last time the Gunners were triumphant in this fixture – having scored braces in his last two league starts, taking his tally for the season to seven – eight in all competitions.

However, it isn’t until you dig a little deep and discover Arsenal’s underlying problems that you realise that perhaps the Gunners aren’t quite the bargain you thought they were. Despite impressive wins in this season’s Champions League away in Udinese and Marseille, Arsene Wenger’s side are still to win away from home in the Premier League in 2011/12 and are without an away win in their last eight. They were thumped 8-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford at the back end of August, humilated by Blackburn at Ewood Park (4-3) and, more recently, edged out in the first north London derby of the season at White Hart Lane at the beginning of the month, losing 2-1 away at Tottenham.

So it’s a case of take your pick really; there are as many positives as there are negatives for both teams, though one thing is for sure, and that’s neither can afford to relinquish any more ground on their respective goals, which for Chelsea is maintaining a bridgeable gap between themselves and league leaders City while Arsenal must starting reigning in fourth-placed Newcastle, who will start dropping points over the next couple of weeks.

 

Chelsea

League Position: 3rd

League Form: LWWWL

Just how much has a laborious week of league and cup action taken out of third-placed Chelsea, whom go into this weekend’s London derby with Arsenal knowing another setback could leave them as many as nine-points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.

First they were forced to play with just nine men for almost an hour away at QPR last weekend, which ultimately led to Andre Villas-Boas’ men slumping to only their second league defeat of the season. And it was a similar story in the League Cup on Wednesday, when Ross Turnbull’s dismissal midway through the second half meant the Blues had to play the remaining 30 minutes of normal time, as well as 26 of the 30 minutes in extra-time, with a man less – and that, playing with a numerical handicap in successive fixtures, has to take its toll.

So really, it has been an energy-sapping, morale-draining and all-round stinker of a week for Andre Villas-Boas and his team, despite the Portuguese’s obvious delight at his side’s progression in the Carling Cup. And still the dust has yet to settle, with John Terry facing an FA investigation into allegations he racially abused Anton Ferdinand in last Sunday’s heated derby at QPR. That isn’t all, though; Didier Drogba is now suspended, as is back-up goalie Ross Turnbull which means should Petr Cech pick up an injury, or worse yet see red, Chelsea would not have a recognised replacement.

The good news is two-fold: firstly Chelsea will retreat to Stamford Bridge this weekend for Saturday’s must-win clash with rivals Arsenal, while the ineffective Didier Drogba will find his void filled by the returning Fernando Torres, the Spaniard who is gradually finding some scoring form, at long last. The Pensioners are unbeaten in their last eleven league games on home soil, winning ten, while Torres has four goals in his last four starts in all competitions.

The concern for Villas-Boas will be energy levels. At QPR, Chelsea worked tirelessly throughout, even when down to nine men, more so in fact when that happened. They pressed and harried, broke forward at pace and with numbers and should have grabbed an equaliser with at least one of the glorious second-half chances they created; they certainly deserved a result.

Another concern is the fact Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven in the league, or any of their previous six at home, although their home form has been imperious of late; they’ve won all four league games at Stamford Bridge this season, outscoring the opposition by 12 goals to 4.

 

Arsenal

League Position: 7th

League Form: LWLWW

While the Gunners may languish in seventh position, a staggering twelve-points off the pace of league leaders Man City, they’ll take a lot of heart from their recent form, Chelsea’s tendency to concede cheap goals wherever they play – including at Stamford Bridge – and especially the goalscoring exploits of talismanic striker Robin Van Persie, who has 25 goals in his last 26 Premier League appearances, 11 in his last 12 away from home and seven for the season – while it was Arsenal’s Dutch magician who inspired them to their last victory at Stamford Bridge, a 2-1 win two seasons ago.

So Arsenal will make the short trip across the capital to the West of London in buoyant mood, although I am about to discourage folk a little. While Arsenal’s form of late has picked up, their performances have still left an awful lot to be believed while their reliance on Robin Van Persie worries me, as he won’t bring his A-game to every match and when he doesn’t, everyone instinctively expects Arsenal to falter – and they invariably have whenever he hasn’t got on the scoresheet.

It’s also worth pointing out that while Arsenal touch down in West London in confident mood on the back of back-to-back league wins, both results were earned at their Emirates Stadium. Away from home, however, Arsenal are still without a league win all season – one draw and three defeats, losing their last three away matches by an aggregate of 14-6 – having failed to win any of their previous eight Premier League away games, a run which stretches right the way back to February.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where Arsenal have been going wrong on their travels, and that’s at the back. With so many injuries, Arsene Wenger hasn’t been able to send out a regular back-four, while those who have come in and deputised simply haven’t been good enough. So the sight of Thomas Vermaelen back playing will come as a huge relief to Wenger, although the Frenchman is worried about the Belgian’s lack of ‘big-game intensity’. But he’ll start, make no mistake about that, as a half-fit Vermaelen is twice the player of a fully fit Per Mertesacker.

Gervinho’s form of late has also caught the eye, with the Ivorian instrumental in recent wins over Sunderland and Stoke in the league and his side’s narrow victory in Marseille in the Champions League. His pace, and Theo Walcott’s on the opposite flank, really have to stretch this Chelsea defence, a back-four which has looked frail this season, one that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in seven league matches. More importantly, Arsenal need to keep things tight all over the pitch while their midfielders, namely Aaron Ramsey, have to assert themselves a whole lot more if Arsenal are to really compete for 90 minutes with the big boys this season.

 

Match Pointers

- Chelsea have won five of their last six in all competitions versus Arsenal, including the previous two at Stamford Bridge by a 2-0 scoreline.

- Arsenal have won six times at Stamford Bridge during the Premier League era, more than any other team; their last league win in West London came three seasons ago in November 2008.

- After losing 1-0 to West London neighbours QPR last time out in the league, Chelsea (W6 D1 L2) sit third in the league on 19-points, six adrift of leaders Man City.

- The Gunners (W4 D1 L4) have climbed to seventh after back-to-back league wins, but they are still six-points shy of fourth-placed Newcastle.

- Chelsea have won ten of their last eleven Premier League home games, including the last four, but haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six at home.

- Arsenal have failed to win any of their previous eight Premier League away games (D3 L5), conceding fourteen in their last three.

 

Team News

Chelsea - Petr Cech was always going to return in goal but with Ross Turnbull suspended and Hilario injured, the Czech’s return to the starting XI is now a formality. John Terry was rested in midweek in a bid to avoid receiving a fifth domestic caution of the term which would have ruled him out of the Arsenal game, and the England central defender could partner Alex at centre-half with David Luiz considered too much of a liability with his marauding runs forward and temperamental attitude. Ramires has missed Chelsea’s last two league games and is again doubtful with the same knee problem. Micheal Essien remains a long-term absentee but Fernando Torres is back from suspension, timely when you consider Didier Drogba will serve the second of his three-game ban on Saturday.

Arsenal – Arsene Wenger has received a massive boost in the form of Belgian Thomas Vermaelen’s return to full fitness, although Wenger does believe the centre-back lacks ‘big-game intensity’. Nevertheless, Vermaelen is expected to start alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defence, with John Djourou possibly preferred to Carl Jenkinson at right-back in place of the injured Bacary Sagna. Jack Wilshere won’t feature until the New Year while Yossi Benayoun is ineligible to face his parent club. In-form Gervinho will start on the left-hand side of a three-pronged attack containing Theo Walcott on the right and Robin Van Persie in the centre.

 

Betting

Although I haven’t been impressed with Arsenal’s recent displays, we are in a results business and you can’t argue with their current form. Wins breathe confidence into any side and so Arsenal, after winning seven of their previous eight games in all competitions, so arrive at Stamford Bridge in buoyant mood, confident they can cause a bit of an upset. And it would be an upset should Arsenal go to Chelsea and win, or take a point for that matter.

There’s not even a debate as to which of the two managers posses a strong batch of players, while Chelsea’s form at home, having won 11 of their last 12, should be too strong for an Arsenal side who haven’t travelled at all well for some time now; the Gunners haven’t won an away fixture in the Premier League since February, losing five and winning none of their previous eight.

I know of several who think Arsenal are outstanding value this weekend, and I suppose you can’t really argue with their odds. They certainly have the armoury to gun down their London rivals, but it’s their defence which frightens me. Even so, I’m not willing to back Chelsea at odds-on, not after the week they’ve endured, and especially not after 120 minutes of gruelling Carling Cup action. So Arsenal are my bet to spring a surprise.

Match Outcome: Arsenal to WIN – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: Robin Van Persie to Score a Brace (Two Goals or More) – 14/1 SkyBet

 

Match Odds

Chelsea – 4/6 Boylesports

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

Arsenal – 5/1 Ladbrokes

 

Chelsea V Arsenal

Sunday, 3rd October – 16:00 GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

 

Chelsea

League Position: 1st
League Form: LWWWW

The Blues perfect start to the season, winning their opening five league games of the season, came to a bitter end last Saturday, with Manchester City maintaining their scintillating run of form against Chelsea with their third successive victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The scoreline may have been just 1-0, while the match itself couldn’t have been more even, but the reaction to the loss from the media has been quite spectacular, with Chelsea seemingly at crisis point following back-to-back defeats (Losing in the Carling Cup to Newcastle beforehand) when in reality it couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Chelsea’s response to a disappointing weekend was to maintain their 100% start in the Champions League. Goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka were enough to see of French champions Marseille at Stamford Bridge, although it would be a fair and honest assessment to say Chelsea weren’t at their breathtaking best and could be interpreted as arrogant for allowing themselves to ease off the gas in the second period. Still, the result did all the talking and they’ll now go into their weekend meeting with London rivals Arsenal in buoyant mood, some would even say expectant, as Chelsea are the overwhelming favourites to win this contest what with Arsenal losing their unbeaten record in the league last weekend and falling foul to several injuries.

While Chelsea’s flawless start to the Premier League may have diminished, their record at Stamford Bridge remain imperious. Only their conquerors on Saturday have actually beaten Carlo Ancelotti’s side in a Premier League encounter on home soil, while the Gunners were comprehensively beaten 2-0 in the last meeting at the Bridge. In fact, so strong are Chelsea at home that the last time they conceded a goal in front of the Chelsea faithful was back in March in a 7-1 hammering of Aston Villa – six home league games without conceding, over 600 minutes without shipping a goal at Stamford Bridge. An unbelievable achievement when you combine it with their prolific scoring record as well, with Chelsea scoring 35 in the same game span (seven games) and scored an incredible 68 at home last season; 16 more than any other side in the division.

The various statistics make for one awe-inspiring picture, daunting if you’re an opponent. Their record at Stamford Bridge is just as formidable, winning all three of their encounters with West Brom (6-0), Stoke City (2-0) and Blackpool (4-0). It goes without saying that all three were easy fixtures on paper but they way in which Chelsea sailed through all three was quite spectacular. Arsenal’s defence is still leaking goals to suggest Chelsea’s free-scoring nature at the Bridge won’t came crashing to an end like their 100% record did last weekend, so anyone thinking of opposing the Blues either has a death wish or knows something the rest of us don’t.

 

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd
League Form: LDWWW

Much like his opposite number, Arsene Wenger demanded an immediate response from his players following a drab weekend in the Premier League, where Arsenal relinquished their unbeaten start to the season at home to newly promoted and huge underdogs West Brom. To say the result came as a shock would be an understatement, but in football teams don’t have long to fall back, regroup and fully assess the situation and where everything is going wrong. And that is the problem for the Gunners as they prepare for arguably their toughest league fixture of the season, off the back of a dreadful league result at the weekend and a rather unconvincing win in Europe.

We shall briefly start with Arsenal’s loss to West Brom by merely saying the Gunners were rubbish, simply not good enough to the point where even a side ranked as 17.00 outsiders outfought and outclassed them in West Bromwich Albion, who aren’t renowned for their giant killing qualities. It was their first important fixture without influential midfielder Cesc Fabregas and didn’t it tell. Despite boasting the likes of Samir Nasri, Thomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere and Andrei Arshavin in midfield, Arsenal lacking any sort of drive, spark of ingenuity in the centre of the park. Only Samir Nasri avoided some of the stringing criticism Arsenal received although that was simply because he single handily reduced the arrears to at least make the scoreline more of a humbling than horrifying.

The reason why we love football so much is you never really know what to expect, no-one knows what’s waiting around the corner and for Arsenal it was a kick up the backside. A firm reality check if you like, and perhaps it could even work in their favour as they seek redemption at Stamford Bridge against table-topping Chelsea. Arsene Wenger did at least see his players reply in a positive manner with victory in Europe, albeit in unconvincing circumstances away in Serbia against Partizan Belgrade (1-3), but there is still a question mark hanging over Arsenal following that shock loss at The Emirates a week ago and the bookies have realised it too by slapping a sort of underdog price tag on the Gunners for Sunday’s gripping contest.

Arsene Wenger hasn’t had it easy this season, although that is no excuse for their defeat last Saturday. Even so, it has been tough for Wenger but life doesn’t get any easier for the Frenchman, who claims Cesc Fabregas is a major doubt for Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea, while their rock at the back Thomas Vermaelen has been completely ruled out of the contest with an Achilles heel meaning the same centre-back partnership which was found wanting against lowly West Brom eight days ago, Squillaci and Koscielny, will start against a Chelsea side who have so far been nothing short of prolific in front of goal at the Bridge. Meanwhile Manuel Almunia, the keeper which took the brunt of the blame for the 3-2 defeat against the Baggies, is also a doubt with an elbow injury meaning Lukasz Fabianski, Arsenal’s hero of the hour in midweek, could be thrown into the Lion’s pit in the Spaniard’s wake.

 

Match Prediction: Chelsea to WIN – 1.80 WilliamHill

Chelsea ran riot against Arsenal last season, with their physical presence on and off the ball just too much for Arsenal to handle. Granted the Gunners are more nimble but without a host of key players, with Cesc Fabregas facing a race against time just to be fit – to which even if he does make it you would have to place question marks over his conditioning. The Blues score goals for fun at home and against a very shaky and so often found wanting Arsenal defence, we can’t envisage anything less than a comfortable win for Chelsea, as they look to bounce back from their bitter defeat at Eastlands a week ago.

Arsenal’s best chance of winning this contest lye’s in the fitness of Fabregas, as the Spaniard is capable of conjuring something pretty spectacular out of nothing and he’s about the only player in the Arsenal team who can. Arshavin can be dangerous when on his game but he needs regular service, an unlikely scenario considering how dominant Chelsea are in the midfield with possession, while Nasri could be their biggest threat when going forward, a player with the potential to go on one of those mazy little runs of his before composing himself with a precise finish.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.88 Bet365
First Goalscorer: Nicolas Anelka – 7.50 Coral
Correct Score: 3-1 Chelsea – 15.00 SkyBet

 

Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.80 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.70 bWin
Arsenal – 5.00 Boylesports

 

Chelsea V Arsenal

 

Sunday, 7^th February – 16:00 GMT (Sky Sports 1)

 

 

 

Chelsea

 

League Position: 1st

Recent Form: WWWWD

 

Chelsea’s winning run of four games came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night when Hull City, of all the teams, stopped Chelsea in their tracks by holding out for a point, drawing 1-1 at The KC. However, Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t have a lot of time to dwell on that mishap as one of Chelsea’s nearest neighbours comes to town, but this time it’s one of their closest pursuers for the league crown in Arsenal. Chelsea will need to be careful that their arrogance doesn’t get the better of them because they will be supremely confident of their chances in Sunday’s clash in the knowledge that they tore Arsenal to pieces when the pair last met this season at The Emirates, back in November.

  

Chelsea took Arsenal to town when the two sides met at The Emirates earlier this season in a game most people thought would test Chelsea’s title credentials but, instead, boosted them significantly. Chelsea did, however, go on to lose their very next league fixture, a 2-0 defeat to Man City, but have picked themselves up by going on a nine match unbeaten run in the league and are still going well in the FA Cup – unlike the Gunners. There have been a few too many draws along the way, with Chelsea drawing four of their last nine in this unbeaten run of theirs, but three of those four draws did come away from Stamford Bridge and the only side to have taken points away from Stamford Bridge this season was Everton, and they had to score three goals just to earn a point.

  

It’s not surprising that, even after their disappointing point in midweek, Chelsea are the short priced favourites to win on Sunday in this eagerly awaited clash as it’s their opponents who will be feeling the pressure the most. However, Chelsea must avoid being overconfident ahead of this clash and should look no further for motivation than their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal last season. That was one of two rare home defeats for Chelsea last season but they’ve yet to lose a home fixture this season and, were they to avoid defeat on Sunday, are almost be certain to go the remainder of the season without a home loss as Liverpool & United, arguably Chelsea’ toughest home fixtures on the football calendar, have already been dispatched by the blues.

  

Chelsea, even with their draw at Hull, are in a rich vein of form and it’s hard to see them losing this fixture. However, several teams have given Chelsea a scare at The Bridge in the past month or so, with the likes of Portsmouth, Fulham, & Everton all scoring at the home of Chelsea, with Everton earning a deserved point and the other two walking away feeling mighty aggrieved after causing Chelsea all sorts of problems at the back. However, these concerns of ours, mainly in their defending it has to be said, might just have been put to bed when Chelsea obliterated Birmingham’s fifteen match unbeaten run by comprehensively winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago. They were clinical in front of goal that night while their quick-tempo start to the game was a joy to behold, but Chelsea did almost come unstuck in the second half when they allowed Birmingham to come at them and perhaps this arrogance of theirs, which is definitely apparent, just might be their downfall on Sunday – Who knows?!

 

 

Arsenal

 

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: DWWDL

  

Arsenal were humiliated over the weekend when they were crushed by Manchester United, losing 3-1 at The Emirates in their second home defeat of the season. The small grain of hope for Arsenal fans, though, is that the last time Arsenal were beaten at home, also conceding three goals, the Gunners then went on a title chasing run by going ten games unbeaten in the league. However, that impressive run of theirs, one which came to a stern end last Sunday, was built upon another humiliating defeat when Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-0 at The Emirates stadium. Can Arsenal somehow avenge that defeat or will they fall foul to yet another crushing blow? 

 

This is a ‘make or break’ fixture for Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal troops as defeat would all-but end their hopes of winning their first league title since 2002. A loss to a side that played them off the park in the reverse meeting, would see Arsenal fall nine points off the pace and that doesn’t bare thinking about if you’re an Arsenal supporter. However, you Gooners can cling onto the hope that your side can spring a shock on Sunday by emulating the success they enjoyed at The Bridge last season when they won 2-1. However, both their goals that day were scored by a now injured Robin Van Persie and there are questions surrounding Arsenal’s attacking options in that they just don’t have enough quality up front without their Dutch star.

  

We are fairly confident that Arsenal won’t just turn up and roll over. We are also quite optimistic that Arsenal will create chances against a Chelsea defence which hasn’t been bulletproof this season. However, our main concern is how they will score the goals as their forward line is looking too blunt to make a big impact in this sort of fixture. Andrei Arshavin, whom has been used as a winger for Arsenal for the best part of this season, is now taking up the sole responsibility of scoring the brunt of Arsenal’s goals by lining up in attack on his lonesome. The little Russian may have an abundance of pace and skill but he lacks so much height that defences just aren’t scared of him in that central role. With Nicklas Bendtner slowly returning to fitness, we would opt for the Danish international in attack and instead put Arshavin back out on the wing where he can terrorise Chelsea’s full-backs and cut inside at will. By having Arshavin in the centre you’re nullifying one of your best attacking influences and it’s also piling unnecessary pressure on the Russian. 

 

If Arsene Wenger does switch Arshavin with Bendtner and put the Russian back out wide then we feel Arsenal have a chance. However, we also feel Arsenal need the first goal to stand any chance of winning this fixture as Chelsea can turn rampant once they take the lead and have yet to relinquish any points in games they’ve scored first in at Stamford Bridge. A high-tempo start is required, imperative in fact, if Arsenal want to keep their title dreams alive with a win.

  

 

Head-to-Head:

 

Chelsea W: Arsenal W: Draws:

 

 

•  Chelsea have the edge over Arsenal after winning five of their previous ten meetings. 

•  Chelsea will be gunning for their third successive league victory over the Gunners on Saturday, although neither came at Stamford Bridge.

•  Arsenal won the last encounter at Stamford Bridge after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 in lasts seasons tight affair in which Robin Van Persie stole the show with a match winning brace. 

• Arsenal haven’t lost by more than a one goal margin at Stamford Bridge in any of their previous seven visits.

• There has been an own goal in the previous three meetings between the two sides, with two coming from Arsenal and one from Chelsea. Funnily enough, the two Arsenal own goals both came at The Emirates while the Chelsea own goal came at Stamford Bridge.

• Chelsea have received the most bookings in the previous two clashes at Stamford Bridge, while Didier Drogba has been booked in two of the previous three meetings at Chelsea.

 

 

 

Key Players:

 

Chelsea – Didier Drogba

 

It’s going to be intriguing watching Didier Drogba attempting to get the better of Arsenal’s usually solid centre-back pairing of Thomas Vermealen & William Gallas. The Ivory Coast international, whom has only just returned from the African Cup of Nations, took just 42 minutes to find his scoring boots for Chelsea as he scored Chelsea’s equaliser on Tuesday night. The bulky 31 year-old has now scored something like 34 goals in 41 games for Chelsea, which is a staggering goal return and one of the reasons why Drogba is favourite to open the scoring on Sunday. He has the ability to terrorise defences, the pace and strength to bomb past a defender and the composure to finish in the game-defining moments. Drogba is going to be a real handful for Arsenal and he has every chance of winning this game for Chelsea single handily.

 

Didier Drogba FGS – 5/1 Coral

Didier Drogba Anytime Scorer – 13/8 Coral

To score a Brace (2 or more) – 7/1 PaddyPower

 

 

Arsenal – Andrei Arshavin

 

Some will say Cesc Fabregas, who is probably enjoying his best spell of his career, will be the player which could be the driving force behind a surprise Arsenal win on Sunday, but we feel the potential match winner  for Arsenal could be their Russian superstar. Arshavin has this knack of scoring in the biggest games for Arsenal, with Chelsea being the only ‘Big Four’ team he hasn’t scored against since joining Arsenal. He scored 4 at Anfield last season in a 4-4 draw with Liverpool, he then added to Liverpool’s woes with Arsenal’s winner at Anfield back in November  whilst he scored Arsenal’s opener in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford to Man Utd. Like Drogba, although certainly not in stature, Arshavin posses the ability to skin his marker with ease and has the talent to go on a mazy run with the ball, leaving defenders often in his wake. Moreover, he has one of the deadliest shots I think I’ve ever seen. When he hits them they stay hit,and, from such a small player, he doesn’t half get some power behind his shots. He’s also a smart thinker, he knows where the gaps are and he could be the key for Arsenal in unlocking that Chelsea defence.

 

Arshavin FGS – 8/1 SkyBet

Arshavin Anytime Scorer – 11/4 SkyBet

 

 

 

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 5.00 (4/1!) Bet365, SkyBet & PaddyPower

 

The Premiership needs three title contenders heading into the latter part of the season and for this to happen Arsenal ideally need to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to keep them within touching distance. It’s a very big ask considering Chelsea haven’t lost at home all season and have rarely looked like losing at Stamford Bridge, and with Arsenal getting battered last Sunday, but it’s not out of the question an Arsenal victory as they have the inventory to cause Chelsea’s often shaky defence all sorts of problems. It will require a huge amount of effort and courage from the Arsenal starting eleven but an Arsenal win is no forlorn hope and, at very attractive odds, it’s certainly worth chancing in game you simply have to have some form of a bet on.

 

 

Match Odds:

 

Chelsea – 1.83 SkyBet

Draw – 3.50 Boylesports

Arsenal – 5.00 Bet365, SkyBet, PaddyPower

 

 

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Arsenal to Score 2 or more Goals – 13/5 PaddyPower