Gunners bury Magpies to move into last eight of Carling Cup
Published:Two goals from Theo Walcott and a superb strike from the returning Nicklas Bendtner secured the Gunners progress into the quarter finals for the eighth season in a row.
Arsenal fans should not be overconfident though, as this is as far as they’ve made it in the last two seasons.
Things do seem a little different this season though, especially Arsene Wenger’s team selections.
Though last night’s line up against the Magpies wasn’t as strong as the previous round against Spurs, there were still starts and appearances for plenty of regular first teamers.
They made light work of Newcastle, but were fortunate early on, taking the lead through a comical own goal and then benefiting from referee Andre Mariner’s generosity as he ruled Bendtner’s collision with Mike Williamson in the build up to Walcott’s goal to be accidental.
The Gunners are second favourites to win the tournament, at 2/1, just behind Manchester United on 15/8.
Both teams will doubtless be hoping to avoid each other when the draw is made for the quarter finals on Saturday.
Arsenal will be looking to take their good form, which now extends to four wins in a row, into their clash with West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday.
West Ham last won at the Emirates in 2007, but have lost four of their last six games against the Gunners.
Given Arsenal’s good form, the Gunners are rated 1/6 to pick up a home win.
The Hammers are a whopping 14/1 to win away, while it’s 6/1 for the game to end all square.
The most lucrative bets are to be found in picking a Hammer to open the scoring as they did when the two sides met in the FA Cup last season.
Scott Parker, at 22/1, could be a good shout.
Walcott is 5/1 to score the first goal this weekend, follow the full Barclays Premier League odds market here.
