Arsenal v Blackburn Preview

Arsene Wenger this week celebrated 13 years in charge of the Gunners and also became Arsenal’s longest ever serving manager. Wenger had lead Arsenal to win 11 domestic trophies in those 13 years, but European silverware still eludes the Frenchman. Arsenal have been impressive this season, and are still unbeaten at home in the league. They are currently enjoying a 5 match unbeaten run in all competitions. This is only Arsenals third Premier League match at the Emirates this season, where they’ve dished out comprehensive 4-1 and 4-0 beatings Portsmouth and Wigan respectively. Apart from two away day horror stories in Manchester, the Gunners have taken their entertaining attacking brand of football on the road to good effect, thumping Everton 6-1 at Goodison on the opening day of the season, and most recently, edging out a somewhat unlucky Fulham 1-0 at the Cottage where they had stand in ‘keeper Vito Mannone to thank after he pulled off a string of wonder saves to keep Fulham out. Arsenal also continued their unbeaten start to their Champions league campaign by beating Olympiakos 2-0 at the Emirates. They did leave it late but the win put them at the top of Champions League group H and they’re looking value to progress in a weak group.

Rovers go into this having not earned a single point away from home this season, in fact if you take into consideration how they finished last season, they’ve lost 7 away games on the bounce. It’s taken their home form to keep them ticking over this season and home wins against West Midlands duo Wolves and Aston Villa, and a draw with West Ham are just enough to keep their noses above the water. They are in 15^th place in a tight section of the table where there’s no room for a losing run that could no doubt plonk them right into the relegation spots. A recent 2-1 win over Villa where Blackburn showed a substance over style approach typical of a Sam Allardyce side, will provide encouragement for the Lancashire club, especially as they did it with 10 men when Vince Grella was dismissed for a second yellow. David Dunn sealed the win with an 89^th minute penalty to give them their 2^nd home win of the season. After his sending off last week, Grella will sit this one out and Big Sam will have to give late fitness tests to defensive duo Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba who both picked up knocks in the Villa win.

This is a match where I can see Blackburn being unable to contain a free-flowing Arsenal side who I see winning this with ease. Due to the skinny odds that the layers are offering I’ve scoured the markets looking for some value and I think I’ve found some. I’ve gone for Arsenal to keep a clean sheet with Betfair at what seems a generous 1.9 from the exchange layers, especially when some firms are as low as 1.5 for the same bet.

Stakes 5/10 on Arsenal to keep a clean sheet at 1.9 with Betfair. Click here to place your bet!