Arsenal v West Ham: Irons good value for upset

Arsenal are undoubtedly losing in the race for fourth place and, should they fail to collect maximum points at home to West Ham, the remaining few still hopeful of the Gunners clawing it back will have to start contemplating life without Champions League football at the Emirates.

Defeat to west London rivals Chelsea last time out was their third straight Premier League game without a win and, given that Arsene Wenger has never enjoyed facing a Sam Allardyce-led team at the best of times, it might be worth lumping a few bob on the 6/1 available for their neighbours from the east end of the city to claim the spoils.

A point for the Hammers is available to back at 7/2 with the Gunners weighing in as 4/9 favourites. This bet, however, is inadvisable.

Arsenal’s defence is one of the most comedic in the top-flight and, by and large, teams don’t have to work overly hard to score goals against them while, in contrast, Jack Wilshere and co are straining every fibre of their being to make something happen at the other end.

If the Irons can stand strong and maybe stick a few balls in the mixer, who would really be surprised if they knicked a 1-0 win? At 18/1, this correct score punt unarguably has a certain appeal to it.

Though if West Ham are to win at the Emirates, they’d have to get the king of the primates-sized monkey off their back that’s stopping them finding the net on the road.

Five games have now passed in all competitions since the travelling claret and blue army celebrated a goal; a run that’s seen them pick up just one point and exit the FA Cup. This would normally encourage punters to back a home clean sheet but, with the home team being Arsenal, the 6/5 on offer should be dismissed for the same reason Ronnie Corbett wouldn’t cut the mustard at the LA Lakers – he’s far too short.

Back West Ham to end their away-day barren spell at the Emirates and the 5/2 offered for them to break the deadlock in the match is a much safer alternative to the mooted correct score shout.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date