Tag Archives: Gunners

Gunners aim to shoot down United

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Bet on the Premier LeagueMonday sees arguably the game of the Premier League season so far as Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to take on their old rivals Manchester United (United Evs, draw 12/5, Arsenal 11/4).

The Gunners have failed to win in their last five meetings against United but, ahead of this eagerly-anticipated showdown, the north London club are playing some of their best football for several years.

Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League and have a real chance of the title this season.

New signing Marouane Chamakh has bagged 10 goals for his new club in the campaign so far and has been the frontman the side have been missing since the departure of Thierry Henry while a player that has really blossomed in recent weeks is the Frenchman Samir Nasri.

The former Marseille midfielder has stepped up his game and has become one of the key players for the Gunners.

His brilliant brace against Fulham last weekend were two of the best individual goals you will see and he will be looking to take his excellent form to Old Trafford on Monday.

It’s a shame that Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas will not feature in this clash of the titans as he still has not recovered from a hamstring injury. It would have been a great contest between him and United veteran Paul Scholes, who at first was a doubt for United but could now start for the home side.

Sir Alex Ferguson should have Rio Ferdinand back from injury for the game as he has recovered from a tight hamstring and the United boss will be looking to the inconsistent Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney to get the goals for them.

After bagging an impressive five goals against Blackburn Rovers, Berbatov failed to show that prolific edge against Valencia in their final group game of the Champions League last week.

The Bulgarian striker has had plenty of opportunities to add to his goalscoring tally this season, but could not buy a goal against the Spanish side.

Rooney has only managed two goals so far this term and has been largely disappointing since he, like many of his team-mates, failed to live up to expectations for England at the World Cup in South Africa.

However, these kinds of games against big sides like Arsenal are the occasions where the former Everton player usually shines and it would not be a surprise if he got on the scoresheet on Monday (Rooney Evs to score anytime).

These are always close affairs but with the way Arsenal are playing at the moment they could pull of another victory away from home.

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Patched up Gunners seek response

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Saturday Premier League match predictions……
There will be an old face awaiting Arsene Wenger at Villa Park on Saturday, in the shape of Robert Pires, but an injury-hit Arsenal (11/10 to win the game) will be in determined mood to end a terrible run, that has seen his side lose four of their last six games in all competitions.

The Gunners are without their inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas, after he was hit with a hamstring injury during the Champions League defeat to Braga in midweek.

They face a tough challenge of their title credentials against an Aston Villa side who are unbeaten on home turf so far this season.

But goals have been hard to come by for Villa and the loss of three-goal midfielder Marc Albrighton will be a big miss, against a Gunners side that still have huge quality in the final third.

Manchester United (1/4 to beat Rovers) can go top of the Premier League if they beat Blackburn and Wayne Rooney is set to play the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both set to return, Blackburn are likely to sit back against United and look to him them on the break. If United get ahead though, there is only going to be one outcome as Rovers do not score many goals on their travels.

Bolton were very impressive last weekend and ripped Newcastle’s defence to shreds at times. The form of Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies upfront is likely to give a torrid time to a Blackpool defence that has leaked goals on their travels. All the form and statistics around this game suggest a win for Bolton at 4/7, but Blackpool have shown more than once this season they can spring a real surprise – beware!

Roberto Di Matteo needs to turn things around at West Brom….and quickly. They have lost four out of their last five Premier League matches and could now even drop into the relegation places if they lose at Goodison Park and Wigan beat rock-bottom West Ham. Everton (4/7 to win, WBA 9/2, draw 11/4 – Match Betting) have been drawing too many games, seven out of their 14 so far, but you would expect David Moyes’ side to be too strong in this one.

Fulham have won only two of their 14 matches all season, while Birmingham City are coming into the game on the back of a draw with Manchester City and their surprise win over Chelsea last weekend. Alex McLeish’s men are in good form and have lost only one of their last six matches in all competitions, so the form definitely favours the visitors (Birmingham 13/5 to win at Craven Cottage).

West Ham are really struggling, they have won only one Premier League game all season and were very poor in the defeat to Liverpool last time out. The axe could come down on Avram Grant if they lose this six-pointer and although Wigan’s form has been patchy, they are not terrible and Latics (5/2 to take all three points) have looked capable of getting wins in recent weeks.

Wolves are on a run of four games without a win, while Sunderland are unbeaten in their last four and have drawn four of their last six games on the road. Asamoah Gyan is back for the Black Cats and Steve Bruce is missing key defenders Titus Bramble and Michael Turner. This game screams a draw at 23/10 – a result that would probably suit both teams.

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Gunners look to blow away Toffees

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Arsenal (6/5 favourites in the match betting) travel to Goodison Park to face an Everton side (11/5 to win, 12/5 the draw) who have started to turn their Premier League season around after another slow start to the campaign.

The Toffees are unbeaten in their last seven games in the top flight – a record that was kept alive in midweek as former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford bagged his first Premier League goal, four minutes into injury time against Bolton to salvage a point.

Everton though will be without midfielder Marouane Fellaini after he was given a straight red during the match against Bolton but there is good news for the Toffees in that Dutch defender John Heitinga is set for a return following his recovery from a knee injury.

Jack Rodwell could also make a return to the starting line-up as the talented youngster has overcome an ankle injury which has forced the player out of action since August.

The 19-year-old was expected to be on the sidelines until Christmas but Rodwell has recovered weeks ahead of schedule and could be troubling the Gunners defence on Sunday.

However, Arsenal will be confident as they go into this game having scored four or more goals in a match against Everton in eight of their 36 Premier League games.

The North London side picked up a valuable away win against Wolves in midweek to keep in touch in the title race as Manchester United and City played out a goalless draw.

Arsenal will be hoping that they can continue their strong away Premier League form having won their last three games on the road, scoring nine goals in the process, and at 6/5 for an away win the Gunners look more than capable of bagging all three points at Goodison given their current form.

In the other Sunday game, league leaders and defending champions Chelsea take on Sunderland in what should be a one sided game at Stamford Bridge.

Sunderland did play well on their last trip to the capital as they frustrated an attacking Tottenham Hotspur side at White Hart Lane, recording a 1-1 draw in North London on Tuesday night and they would be delighted if Asamoah Gyan can get on the score sheet at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea do have their injury problems as Frank Lampard will be sidelined for a further three weeks after he picked a muscle injury in training, while the Blues will also be without midfielder Michael Essien, who was sent off in their midweek win against Fulham.

Despite these absentees, Chelsea will be confident of picking up all three points after they put seven goals past Sunderland in their last meeting.

It is difficult to see Sunderland getting anything out of this one as they have won only one of their last 24 matches away from the Stadium of Light and Chelsea are expected to win comfortably (Chelsea 8/15 to be winning at half-time and full-time).

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Defender eyes Gunners Euro prize

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Johan Djourou thinks Arsenal are strong enough to win the Champions League this season and feels the Gunners (10/1 in Outright Winners market) are in ‘good shape’.

Arsene Wenger’s men highlighted their European credentials with a 5-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Gunners made light work of the 2009 UEFA Cup winners, with Marouane Chamakh (12/1 Champions League Top Scorer 2010/11), Jack Wilshere, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song on the scoresheet.

The result leaves Arsenal top of Group H, with three wins out of three and a three-point advantage over second-placed Shakhtar (1/5 to qualify from Group H).

Europe’s top club prize has eluded Wenger to date, with the nearest he has come to lifting the trophy coming back in 2006, when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the final.

But Djourou, who was handed a start on Tuesday in the absence of Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen, feels their time may have come.

The Swiss international said: “I think the result shows that Arsenal is ready to go as far as possible in the Champions League.

“It’s early but it shows people that we can do well in the competition. We are more or less qualified even though there are still three games left.”

Arsenal (1/8 to win Group H) can move a step closer to qualification for the knockout stages with victory in the Ukraine on November 3.

But the Gunners turn their attentions to important domestic matters this weekend, when they face Manchester City at Eastlands (Man City 13/10, Draw 11/5, Arsenal 2/1 – Match Betting) on Sunday.

Having already lost to West Brom and Chelsea, Lukasz Fabianski has targeted the clash with Roberto Mancini’s men as a must-win game.

The goalkeeper added: “It’s a massive game for us because we want to be in the title race. We want to go there for sure to win the game. We have to win it.”

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Drogba ready to blow away Gunners

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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says he can’t wait to get out on the pitch to face Arsenal on Sunday as the Ivorian international looks to keep up his incredible scoring record against the Gunners (19/5 to beat Chelsea).

The 32-year-old is expected to return to the Blues starting line-up when Arsenal arrive at Stamford Bridge having sat out the 2-0 victory over Marseille in mid week.

Drogba has been at his imperious best this season as he helped Carlo Ancelotti’s men get off to a flying start, winning their first five Premier League matches before they came unstuck against Manchester City last weekend.

Chelsea looked off colour at Eastlands last Saturday but were somewhere near their best in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Drogba and his team mates will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Arsenal having won the last four meetings against their London rivals.

Drogba has been the scourge of Arsenal since he joined Chelsea in 2004, scoring 12 goals in 10 starts and two substitute appearances against Arsene Wenger’s men.

Drogba (5/1 to score two or more against Arsenal) got both goals in last season’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, while also getting a brace at the Emirates Stadium in the 3-0 win.

Last season’s golden boot winner says he is expecting a tough encounter on Sunday given Arsenal’s start to the season, with the Gunners having won four of their first six.

“I can say that I am a bit lucky because I scored a few goals against them,’ he acknowledged.

“Every game is different. I remember some games when we played well against Arsenal, but this one will be a different one, I don’t know how.

“It is a strange start to the season for me, I scored goals and made some assists but I am not really 100 percent yet with the surgery I had in pre-season so it is a bit difficult for me to catch up but I am doing my best and I hope that maybe in one or two weeks I will be better.”

The Gunners (7/1 Premier League outright) are expected to be missing a number of star names for the clash with Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Nicklas Bendtner, Thomas Vermaelen and Manuel Almunia all unavailable.

Chelsea have their own injury problems, although not as bad as Arsenal, with Jose Bosingwa, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all out.

Despite the two club’s injury problems fans can still expect Ancelotti and Wenger to name to starting elevens packed with internationals as they look to maintain their push for the Premier League title.

The game is likely to prove to be a good acid test of the pair’s title credentials this season, although Drogba refuses to say a defeat to either side will badly dent their hopes.

“I won’t say [it is] critical because the season is long. Last year Arsenal were 10 points behind us and they came back and they were fighting for the league with three games to go, so it’s going to be a big game, an important game, but not one that will say Chelsea or Arsenal will be champions,” Drogba added.

“I think we can beat anybody but we can also lose against anybody, that’s football and you want to win when you come to the pitch but you never know if you’re going to win or not.”

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Gunners aim to be on Song

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Alex Song believes Arsenal will deliver the perfect response to their embarrassing defeat against West Brom by beating Partizan Belgrade (4/1 – 90 minutes) in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The north London outfit were shocked by the Baggies on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-2 to the newly-promoted outfit at the Emirates Stadium.

After the match manager Arsene Wenger read the riot act to his players and heavily criticised them in the media, calling their all round display ‘poor’ and below par of what he expected.

Defeat meant they failed to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea after their loss at Manchester City in what was a bad weekend for England’s Champions League participants.

Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge next Sunday to take on the reigning champions but before that face a tricky trip to Serbia to face Partizan.

Under current manager Aleksandar Stanojevic, Partizan have been in good form, winning the Serbian title before dumping out Belgian champions Anderlecht on their way to the group stages of the competition.

Despite losing their first group match at Shakhtar Donestk (9/2 – Group H winners) the majority of the players and the manager appear to be in a confident move, happily predicting the downfall of Arsenal (1/5).

However, Arsenal’s players are keen to prove that Saturday’s defeat to West Brom was nothing more than a rare slip-up, with Song issuing the rally cry to his team mates to show what the Gunners are capable of.

“Normally we win most games but we have just come here to do our best because we know in the last few days we have not done very well,” he said.

“We want to show we are ready.”

Arsenal head to the hostile Stadion FK Partizan still without the injured quartet Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabergas and Nicklas Bendtner.

Wenger has also ruled out goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, claiming the Spaniard has an elbow injury which has forced him to stay at home.

The French boss has given his backing to Almunia’s stand-in Lukasz Fabianski, who has failed to impress in recent appearances and will no doubt be put under pressure by the less than friendly Partizan supporters.

Gunners fans will have their fingers crossed Thomas Vermaelen will have recovered from an Achilles injury that has kept him out for the last three weeks.

Arsenal (10/1 Champions League outright) won just one of their five European matches on foreign soil last season but will be hoping they can set that record straight in Belgrade on Tuesday night.

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Fab boost for Gunners

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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes he will have recovered from his hamstring injury in time to play against Premier League title rivals Chelsea on October 3 (Arsenal 11/2, Chelsea 3/4 – Premier League outright).

The midfielder suffered the injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland and the initial diagnosis was that it would keep him out for at least three weeks.

However, the Spain star is confident he will be back in contention to take on leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a week on Sunday – in what will be a major boost to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

He told reporters back in Spain: “The injury is not as bad as we first thought. There is no muscle rupture and I will be back perfect in about 10 to 11 days.

“I am working with an osteopath in Paris and just working day to day.

“I think I will make the Chelsea game.”

Fabregas, who has hit three goals so far this season following a summer in which he was constantly linked with a move to Barcelona, will definitely sit out this weekend’s home game with West Brom (Arsenal 1/6, West Brom 16/1, draw 5/1 – 90 minutes) and the Champions League tie in Belgrade against Partizan.

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Nasri back but Gunners depleted

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Arsenal stars Samir Nasri and Theo WalcottArsenal will be able to call upon the fit again Samir Nasri when Bolton arrive at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but boss Arsene Wenger still has an injury headache to deal with (Arsenal 2/9, draw 9/2, Bolton 11/1).

Nasri has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season, in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in August. However, he has now recovered from knee surgery and the Frenchman is ready to face Bolton.

Wenger will be without key centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, who has an Achilles problem, meaning summer signing Sebastien Squillaci looks set to deputise in the heart of the Arsenal defence alongside fellow new-boy Laurent Koscielny.

Theo Walcott faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty in England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland in midweek, while Robin van Persie is yet to recover from his own ankle complaint and will play no part.

Long-term absentees Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) are both unavailable, but Jack Wilshere could be in line to face his former club having spent a spell on loan at the Reebok Stadium last season.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle admits he is wary of Wilshere having worked with the midfielder last season (Wilshere 13/2 to score first).

“When he came here, perhaps he was a little bit immature,” Coyle told the Bolton News. “But you had a real man by the end of the season. I think he really blossomed as a player and as a person.

“Because of the way he plays the game, even in training, he took knocks all the time because he brings the ball so close to you, knowing he has the quick feet to get it out again. He probably took more knocks than anybody – and he’s certainly more used now to the rigours and demands of the Premier League.

“Jack can put himself about and take care of himself. It will be good to see him; I just hope he doesn’t play too well.”

Coyle has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from but the Scottish manager will be without first-choice keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who is suspended for the next three fixtures, while striker Ivan Klasnic faces a late fitness test as he continues to recover from a thigh problem.

Adam Bogdan, a 22-year-old Hungarian, will deputise in Jaaskelainen’s absence after making his debut following the Finn’s second half sending off in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham (Bolton 10/1 to keep a clean sheet, Arsenal 8/13).

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Rosicky, Song, Fabregas, Eboue, Arshavin, Chamakh, Fabianski, Wilshere, Gibbs, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Nasri, Djourou.

Bolton (from): Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, Elmander, K Davies, Klasnic, Lainton, M Davies, Blake, Taylor, Ricketts, Alonso, A O’Brien, Moreno.

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Gunners hit by Nasri setback

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Arsenal (4/9 for a Top 4 Finish) will be without Samir Nasri for the next month after the midfielder was told by medics that he needs a knee operation.

The Frenchman suffered the injury in Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Liverpool, in which Arsenal secured a point with a late equaliser.

After scans, it was revealed that Nasri had suffered a meniscal injury and minor surgery is required to resolve the issue.

A club statement read: “Samir Nasri will today undergo minor surgery on his knee following a meniscal injury sustained against Liverpool on Sunday. Nasri will be out of action for a month.”

It’s yet another injury setback for Arsene Wenger, who is already without three first-team midfielders with Alex Song, Denilson and Aaron Ramsey still sidelined.

There are also question marks over the fitness of skipper Cesc Fabregas, who was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw at Anfield due to a chest infection.

Nasri will now be forced to miss Saturday’s home clash with Blackpool (Arsenal 1/7, Draw 6/1, Blackpool 14/1 – Match Betting), as well as the away trip to Blackburn on August 28.

An international break in early September will come at a good time for the 23-year-old, who may target a return to the squad for the visit of Bolton to the Emirates on September 11.

Meanwhile, the Gunners’ opponents on Saturday, Blackpool, could had a debut to a new signing this weekend.

Israeli defender Dekel Keinan is the latest new addition at Bloomfield Road, after penning a one-year deal with the option to extend the deal by another 12 months.

The 25-year-old joins the Tangerines (9/4 To Stay Up) on a free transfer from Maccabi Haifa and becomes Blackpool’s seventh new signing this summer.

Keinan has already been granted a work permit and will go straight into Ian Holloway’s squad for the trip to north London.

The defender insisted: “I am looking forward to the first game and I’m very happy everything is done.

“I had different offers but after I met the gaffer I was sure that I wanted to play for Blackpool.”

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Hodgson – Torres could face Gunners

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Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has revealed star striker Fernando Torres could yet be fit to play against Arsenal on Sunday as the Reds aim to kick off their season with an important win at Anfield (Liverpool 11/8, Arsenal 9/5, Draw 23/10 – match betting).

Spain international Torres has been carrying an abductor injury he sustained in the World Cup final and has only just made a return to training ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

However, despite a summer of disruption caused by injury and speculation that he would leave the club, Torres could feature against the Gunners.

He committed his future to Hodgson’s side a few weeks ago and will hope to have an injury-free campaign to help Liverpool get back amongst the top four and into the Champions League.

When asked if Torres could play on Sunday, Hodgson said: “Yes, there’s a chance he could play. He’s made a remarkable effort to get himself fit and ready for Premiership football.

“He’s worked extremely hard in the two and a half weeks he’s been back. I haven’t ruled him out but I haven’t ruled him in either.

“His chances were rightly being played down by the sports science people. They said, quite rightly, that in an ideal world he’d have a longer preparation period.

“It’s quite simply a balancing job. Do we take the risk of putting him in early or do we hold him back and put him through a more strenuous pre-season programme?”

He added: “The player’s feelings also have to be taken into account, so it’s a delicate mixture. But the bottom line is yes, he could be considered for Sunday.”

Liverpool follow up their season-opener against Arsenal with a home Europa League play-off first leg clash against Turkish side Trabzonspor on Thursday (Reds 9/1 to win the Europa League outright).

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