Arsenal Keep Up The Chase And Liverpool Get Another Let Off
Chelsea’s seven goal pounding of Sunderland may have sent a message to their title rivals but on Sunday Arsenal proved they were not intimidated. Their 2-0 win at Bolton kept up the pressure on the leaders.
The Reebok Stadium is one of the grounds where the Gunners have slipped up in the past few seasons. The home team’s physical style of play unsettled the London side’s intricate passing game and left Arsene Wenger annoyed with their approach.
This time Arsenal moved smoothly past Bolton, who couldn’t give Owen Coyle a positive start to his tenure. Cesc Fabregas is back in the Gunners side and pulling the strings again.
Wenger’s side have suffered a number of injuries to key players and yet are still on the coat-tails of Chelsea and Manchester United. The likes of Fabregas, Diaby and Bendtner are back in action or close to it- Robin Van Persie is still a big absentee but Wenger now has options.
The North Londoners have a game in hand over Manchester United who are misfiring. The confidence is back in Arsenal’s game and it was the critical Christmas victory over Aston Villa that put them right back to the fore.
No Rest For Bolton
In an quirk of the fixture list caused by the heavy snowfall these two sides meet again on Wednesday at the Emirates Stadium. Nobody really holds out any hope for the Trotters, just look at the fact they are an astonishing 13.00 to win!
You’d have to be a brave man to take a bet on that one. A better value bet would be to take a multiple on a scorer and the eventual winner.
My best bet is on Cesc Fabregas to continue his goal scoring form and Arsenal to win at 2.70.
Fourth Spot Up For Grabs
Rafa Benitez has a reputation as a lucky manager and this was another weekend when Liverpool were let off the hook by the other teams chasing a Champions League berth.
In a normal season Liverpool would have no chance of attaining fourth place but because no other team has staked proper claim to the berth, the Reds are only four points off that spot despite losing seven times already in the league.
In the past two campaigns the fourth-placed team in the Premier League has lost just six and four times respectively. A points total of 72-76 points was needed to get the last Champions League place.
If the current level of inconsistency is maintained, a total around 65 points might get fourth place in 2009/10; and that means there is still hope for Liverpool if the squad can get on a decent run and win the games against their nearest rivals.
Another game that has been re-arranged due to the heavy snow is the tantalising clash between Liverpool and Spurs. Redknapp’s men will actually be delighted with the postponement considering the injuries to Torres and Benayoun that have occurred since.
Liverpool have home advantage but they may find this actually adds to the enormous pressure the team is already under. Spurs will look to take advantage from the kick off so odds of 2.00 for Tottenham to score first is well be worth a shout.
If you enjoyed this post then try these:
- Liverpool v Arsenal – The Gunners Still Think They Have A Title Shot
- Stoke City v Arsenal – Potters Looking For FA Cup Revenge
- Arsenal Fluff Their Lines Against Premiership Title Rivals
- Derby Day Despair For Arsenal and Everton
- Bendtner Keeps Arsenal On The Premiership Title Pace
