Arsenal v Ludogorets: Gunners can’t afford to be complacent
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They may have made it difficult for themselves as times, but Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Swansea on Saturday made it six wins on the spin for the north Londoners. Heavy favourites to make it seven tonight in the Champions League, the Gunners mustn’t become over-confident against a Ludogorets side who have already sprung a surprise or two this season.
Victory tonight would see Arsene Wenger’s men sit nicely on seven points from three games, having already claimed a point away at PSG and beaten Basel at the Emirates.
At 1/7, the bookies make Arsenal heavy favourites, unsurprising given their current form.
Though Bulgarian champions Ludogorets are sizeable 20/1 outsiders, Wenger would be wise to ensure his side hand plenty of respect to tonight’s opponents.
The five-time champs were good enough to take a point off Basel in their opening group encounter, before scaring PSG with the opening goal last time out.
And after scoring in all bar one of their fixtures this season,they clearly boast plenty of attacking talent – including the sought-after and dangerous winger Jonathan Cafu.
Thus, the 15/8 on Arsenal to win and both teams to score should be popular.
With seven goals from nine games in all competitions, Theo Walcott is rapidly on course for his best ever campaign.
The England international bagged twice at the weekend, and is 4/1 to score first here, with Evens on him scoring anytime.
But Alexis Sanchez’s five goals and six assists are arguably finer returns, and the Chilean ace – revelling in his central role – is 14/5 to net first and 4/6 anytime.
Both teams to score is 5/4, while over 2.5 goals is 2/5. But given that five of Arsenal’s games already this season have seen four or more strikes, it may prove fruitful to back over 3.5 at Evens.
In recent seasons this clash would represent something of a banana skin for Wenger’s side. But there’s seemingly much more of a cutting edge about this current crop, and they Gunners are well poised to make it seven straight wins.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
