Szczesny and Djourou back for Arsenal to face Liverpool

Jens Lehmann’s return to the Arsenal first team is expected to be exceptionally brief as Wojciech Szczesny is winning his battle to return to action for their next Premier League game against Liverpool.

Arsenal’s odds are 8/11 to beat Liverpool and they are unbeaten in their last 14 home games against the opposition.

The form of Arsene Wenger’s team has been relatively poor since Szczesny dislocated his finger during Arsenal’s defeat in Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League last-32 clash.

Manuel Almunia replaced the 20-year-old Pole at the Nou Camp as Arsenal suffered defeat and they also failed to win any of their three games following this loss with him in goal.

However, Lehmann came out of retirement to help Arsenal’s goalkeeper crisis and did not disgrace himself in his first Premier League start for three years in helping the Gunners break their winless streak by beating Blackpool.

But this is unlikely to be enough to see him retain his place with Szczesny back in training.

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s chances are set to be further boosted as Johan Djourou could return quicker than expected from a dislocated shoulder that, despite concerns, did not require surgery to correct.

Without the duo Arsenal have dropped four points in the Premier League title race thanks to draws with West Brom and Blackburn and the club are now seven points shy in the Premier League title race.

Arsenal are now 5/1 in the Premier League odds as a result, but their chances are improved by the fact that they have a game in hand and that Manchester United still have to visit the Emirates.

However, there is also the possibility that Manchester United could not only beat Arsenal on their own patch on May 1st, but in doing so celebrate being crowned Premier League champions.

A £30 stake on Arsenal beating Liverpool 2-0 would return £180. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.