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Saturday, September 19th
Kick-off: 15:00 The Emirates
It’s back to the bread and butter Premier League for Arsenal on Saturday after Wednesday’s phenomenal comeback against Standard Liege. After losing twice in Manchester, Wenger will be pleased that his team came back so strongly against the Belgians. The squad obviously believes in itself and showed true guts and determination to claw their way back into the game on Wednesday.
Arsenal have a good few injury worries for this game. Denilson, Walcott, Nasri, Vela, Fabianski and Djourou are all out and keeper Almunia is not expected to start as he is still recovering from a chest infection.
Arshavin and Van Persie are both expected to feature. From a betting point of view this is good news. A gutsy Wigan defence will need to be carved open, and Arshavin and Van Persie are the type of players to do it.
Wigan should be at full strength for this match. However, a fully fit Wigan squad is still a way off the standard of Arsenal’s depleted squad who should not encounter too many problems during the 90 minutes.
Talk of there being pressure on Wenger is unfair. They have won two games in the Premier League this season, were unlucky to lose to United at Old Trafford, and perhaps underestimated the new-look City squad. However, their Champions League performances, especially against Celtic, were very good. Wenger must be pleased, especially after Wednesday’s comeback. A home tie against a team like Wigan is perfect for the Gunners at this stage of the season. Another three points will do their confidence a world of good. Their next two games are at home to West Brom in the League Cup on Tuesday, followed by an away game against Fulham on the Saturday. Starting with Wigan, they should win their next three games which will set them up nicely for a tough game at home to Olympiakos.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Arsenal have won the last four meetings between these sides at home. The cumulative score of 9-3 does not inspire huge confidence in the Gunners hammering Wigan into the ground, but they should account for them with considerable ease. Arsenal should make this five wins from five encounters at home.
VERDICT
Arsenal should win, and win comfortably. However, they are not much of a price at around 1/4. We must look elsewhere for the value in this game. Having tipped Vermaelen to score in Belgium mid-week (which he did), I am of the opinion that the centre-half is really enjoying his stint at Arsenal and his morale is sky high. His aerial ability means his best chance of scoring is from set plays and corners. Arsenal should get a significant number of corners in this game so I am going to suggest that Vermaelen gets his head on one of those inswinging corners.
In a game that Arsenal will dominate, they know that an early goal will settle any nerves that may linger after Wednesday’s match. Expect Arsenal to take a lead into the half-time break, and extend it during the second-half.
RECOMMENDED
Vermaelen to score at anytime 7/1 available
Arsenal to win both halves 6/4 BET365
Over 2.5 goals in game 4/6 BETFAIR
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