Arsenal can find a way to end their Chelsea hoodoo
Published:
Arsene Wenger must be rather keen for January to end, with the Premier League fixture list throwing up a tricky trio of ties for his Arsenal side.
The Gunners host Chelsea this weekend having faced trips to Liverpool and Stoke in the last 11 days.
It’s been judged as a real test of Arsenal’s title credentials, and so far they’ve come through it pretty well, claiming draws at Anfield and the Britannia Stadium.
History shows the red half of north London has struggled against Chelsea in recent years however, and with Leicester and Manchester City keeping the pressure on, Arsenal can’t afford to slip up.
Arsenal’s Community Shield win over a then-Jose Mourinho coached Chelsea in August was their only victory over the Blues in the last 10 meetings – a run stretching back to the famous 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge in 2011.
Indeed Arsenal have failed to score in five of the last six meetings between the teams, but this visiting Chelsea side have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight fixtures.
The Gunners have been superb at the Emirates this term too, and they’re evens favourites to claim a fifth-successive home league win.
For Chelsea, results have doubtless improved since Guus Hiddink returned, and they’re yet to lose in seven matches under the Dutchman.
Ladbrokes are 13/5 that the reigning champions win this afternoon, but Chelsea have taken three points from the Emirates just once in their last five visits.
The draw is available at 12/5, while the history boffins among you may be swerving both teams to score with only one side netting in each of the last seven meetings.
According to Arsene Wenger, Alexis Sanchez could make his return from injury, but it seems unlikely that Olivier Giroud will be dropped given his excellent form.
The Frenchman has nine goals in his last 10 games, and Ladbrokes are feeling generous by boosting Giroud to score and Arsenal to win from 9/4 to 11/4.
Diego Costa is also a forward in form with five goals in five, and Ladbrokes are feeling doubly generous today by also enhancing Costa to score and Chelsea to win from 5/1 to 6/1.
And of course, an Arsenal-Chelsea clash couldn’t not be on the telly, meaning you can enjoy Ladbrokes’ Double Odds offer.
Simply back a player to score first and if that selection nets the game’s opening goal inside the first 25 minutes, you’ll be paid out at double the odds!
That would see you collect a hefty 9/1 should Giroud get the game off to a flyer, or a huge 12/1 should Costa stun the home crowd into an early silence!
For full Double Odds T&Cs click here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
