Van Persie injury to increase Arsenal’s wait for trophies
Published:Betting on Arsenal to win no trophies for the sixth successive campaign this season now seems like great value following the news that Robin Van Persie is to be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks.
Van Persie has been in particularly blistering form since the turn of the year with 13 goals in 11 games and has ten goals in just nine Premier League starts all season.
However, a scan following the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham confirmed that the Dutchman had suffered knee ligament damage and as a result will miss a host of games in the coming weeks that could have a large impact on Arsenal’s season.
Undoubtedly the biggest game that Van Persie will have to watch is the trip to the Nou Camp for the second leg of Arsenal’s last-16 Champions League showdown with Barcelona.
Arsenal are 11/5 in the Champions League betting to qualify from their tie with Barcelona and are in a reasonable position heading to Spain after winning the opening leg 2-1.
But memories will still be vivid of last season when Lionel Messi virtually singled-handedly led Barcelona to a 4-1 victory over Arsenal at the Nou Camp.
Meanwhile, Van Persie will miss the FA Cup sixth round game at Old Trafford against Manchester United, which is assuming that they win their fifth round replay at home to League One Leyton Orient.
Arsenal’s betting odds are currently 7/2 to win the FA Cup, which makes them second favourites to win the tournament behind Manchester United.
Thankfully, there is every chance that Van Persie’s injury may not substantially hinder their Premier League title chances.
Van Persie is expected to miss just two league games, at home to Sunderland and away to West Brom, with Arsenal 7/4 to win the Premier League.
A £25 stake on Arsenal winning the double of the Premier League and FA Cup would return £250. New customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.
