Exciting Iwobi to help Arsenal undo West Brom in Thursday Premier League fixture
Published:
Holly Thackeray | April 20, 2016
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
- Premier League
- Thursday, April 21st
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
- Emirates, north London
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Gunners to grab goals after double draw disappointment
With Manchester United lurking menacingly behind them in the hunt for a coveted Premier League top four spot, Arsenal cannot afford another slip-up after sinking to two successive draws against West Ham United and Crystal Palace, scuffles they were expected to win.
Still, the Gunners are odds-on 1/4 favourites to grab glory with Coral, against a West Bromwich Albion outfit that are stubborn but have little left to compete for other than pride, with Tony Pulis’ team having reached the 40-point mark and all-but safe for next season.
A response is needed from Arsene Wenger’s men then, with the Frenchman stating: “The season is far from over. It depends on who you play and the commitment you face.
“Against West Ham and Crystal Palace we were not efficient enough. That is a regret. It’s my job to get the team 100 per cent ready.”
Still, as Albion have lost six of their last seven Premier League visits to the Gunners’ own patch, Arsenal are a fantastic 3/1 to score four or more at the Emirates, having clocked-up a quartet of goals in this fixture last term.
Iwobi and Sanchez to provide spark
Last season it was England international Theo Walcott who struck an inspirational hat-trick to help sink the Baggies and the Three Lions forward is 5/1 to dispatch a double or more again in this duel.
France frontman Olivier Giroud and fellow forward Danny Welbeck have also been previous scorers against this side, but it is the duo of Alexis Sanchez (10/3 for the first goal) and Alex Iwobi that are most in-form.
Electric Iwobi (6/4 anytime, or 11/2 for the final say) has emerged as Arsenal’s most exciting prospect with two goals and as many assists in his last four league appearances, while superstar Sanchez has four strikes and three assists in his past six, making the pair most likely to cause West Brom damage.
Baggies buoyed for battle with chance of double
Few will count Albion out completely, however, as the Midlands men seek to complete an audacious league double over the Londoners, having run out 2-1 winners in the reverse.
Pulis (12/1 for another victory, or 5/1 to pinch a point) said of his side’s motivation: “We get to go to these football grounds and play against great players, great football teams, at great stadiums. You relish it, you shouldn’t be nervous or worried about it.
“We’ve got the points to keep us in the Premier League, so we should really look forward to these games.”
Striker Saido Berahino infamously missed two spot-kicks last time out, but customers can back the Baggies’ marksman to bounce back and make amends anytime, with odds of 11/4 in that market. While, wingman James McClean and sharpshooter Salomon Rondon are 11/2 and 10/3 options respectively.
Still, West Brom have hit the back of the net just once in their previous four fixtures, making Arsenal odds-on at 10/11 for a win to nil, or 8/5 to be victorious in both halves.
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Coral’s top tip: Back Iwobi at 11/2 to score last for Arsenal.
