Arsenal aim to recover from Saints romp with Cherries coup
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 27, 2015
Arsenal v Bournemouth
- Premier League
- Monday, December 28th
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- The Emirates Stadium, north London
Gunners aim to bounce back from Saints loss
After suffering a shock 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Southampton, Arsenal are aiming to bounce back from such a devastating defeat when they host Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, in what will be the first ever Premier League meeting between these two sides.
The Gunners have only ever met the Cherries once before competitively, when the Londoners ran out 3-0 winners in a League Cup clash back in 1987 and they are 9/4 from Coral to win again this time around with both teams scoring.
Arsene Wenger’s men were on a rampant run of form before their stunning Saints humbling, previously going six games unbeaten in all competitions, including four successive victories, but they are 7/1 to suffer another domestic set-back against Bournemouth in home surroundings.
History on Arsenal’s side at home
The hosts have recent history on their side for their latest top-flight match-up, having not lost their final game of a calendar since 2006 and are undefeated in their last 21 Premier League meetings with newly-promoted opposition.
Arsenal have also scored in each of their previous 29 matches against promoted teams, with their most recent defeat against such an outfit coming back in 2012 against QPR.
Although, Bournemouth enjoy a trip to the capital, after winning five of their last six visits to London, including a recent victory over reigning champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Howe’s men are also unbeaten in their previous six league outings.
Giroud can fire Gunners to glory again
One positive for Arsenal is the sublime form of France international frontman Olivier Giroud, with the towering targetman 4/1 to dispatch two or more with a £20 max stake, while Theo Walcott is 7/2 to open proceedings.
The hosts will have to do without a long list of injured stars, with Alexis Sanchez (hamstring), Jack Wilshere (leg) and Mikel Arteta (calf) sidelined, as well as Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky (all knee).
Bournemouth will hope Joshua King can inspire them to success and he is 10/3 to strike anytime, while veteran forward Glenn Murray is available at the same price for his own goal in London.
West Ham United v Southampton
- Premier League
- Monday, December 28th
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- Upton Park, east London
Hammers host high-flying Saints
Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United have the task of taming a seemingly rejuvenated Southampton side, after their rout over Arsenal, with the Hammers seeking their first win in any competition since October 24th when they overcame champions Chelsea.
The Hammers began the current campaign in amazing form, toppling all of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City on the road, but since the long-term injury to star man Dimitri Payet, they have truly crumbled.
Bilic’s east Londoners have now gone eight games in all competitions without a victory and are on a hapless run of five consecutive draws. Therefore, they are 11/5 to secure another stalemate at Upton Park and 12/5 to finally end their underwhelming run with home ruling over the Saints.
Both sides enduring poor spells
Despite Southampton thrashing Arsenal in their previous Premier League outing, the south coast club have also endured a truly dismal run of form, having gone six games without a win before their Gunners coup.
With both teams entering this Monday night match-up after previously stuttering form, proceedings could become a bit stale in the capital, but Southampton hold the momentum after the Arsenal heroics and are 4/1 to triumph by two or more goals (£20 max stake).
Hammers hitman Andy Carroll is 6/4 to get on the scoresheet anytime, with midfield stalwart Mark Noble 11/2 to strike after his goal in this fixture last season. Meanwhile, Saints striker Shane Long is 9/1 to bag a brace or more after his deadly double over Arsenal, and in-form wideman Sadio Mane is 7/4 to dispatch anytime.
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Coral’s top tip: Back Arsenal to bounce back from defeat with a win over Bournemouth and both teams scoring, with a £20 max stake.
