West Brom v Arsenal: Gunners can produce Hawthorns late show
Published:As a host of injuries to key players threatens to scupper Tottenham’s bid for a top-four place, Arsenal have a tremendous chance to capitalise by beating West Brom at 10/11.
And although the 3/1 Baggies will offer stern resistance at the Hawthorns, Arsene Wenger’s men should be confided in to achieve a slow-burning success.
It is interesting to note that a massive 21 of the Gunners’ past 27 league strikes have come in the second half of matches, indicating there is money to be made in half markets here.
Backing Arsenal to triumph in a match that is level at the break looks the way to go at 4/1, especially in light of them achieving the same feat in this fixture last season.
Alternatively, taking the 11/8 odds that the Gunners register most of their goals in the second period could prove a shrewd move, and the 10/11 that Arsenal score the first second-half goal may also tempt some punters.
However, whilst a late flourish is expected from Wenger’s men, their capabilities to notch in quick succession should not be underestimated, and they could therefore offer value in handicap markets too.
Indeed, whilst Arsenal have notched six goals over their past two matches, both of which they were victorious in, three of those strikes came after the hour-mark.
Therefore, even if the game is level approaching the latter stages, punters taking the 23/10 odds concerning the Gunners overcoming a theoretical one-goal disadvantage should not fret.
Such a bet would have paid off in each of Arsenal’s last three matches in all competitions, and in two of their last three meetings opposite West Brom.
Meanwhile, a somewhat surprising selection could be worth backing to help first scorer punters turn a tidy profit in this game.
Though often an Emirates scapegoat, Gervinho has hit two goals in his last two Gunners appearances, and with his performance level vastly improved in those outings too, the Ivorian is perhaps worthy of opening scorer consideration at 7/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
