Emirates Cup: Hosts Arsenal face Wolfsburg after Lyon hit for six
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Arsenal are odds-on at 8/13 with Coral to follow up their demolition of Lyon with victory over Wolfsburg at the Emirates Cup that they host.
There’s a Gunners homecoming for Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is Die Wolfe’s reserve option up front behind Dutch frontman Bas Dost and new signing Max Kruse. Despite these and other attacking options, which include in-demand Belgium international Kevin de Bruyne and Croatia winger Ivan Perisic, Dieter Hecking’s men are 10/3 outsiders to upset Arsenal.
Having lost to Villarreal 2-1 in the Emirates Cup opener, Wolfsburg will want to respond quickly when facing elite opposition as the German Super Cup clash with Bayern Munich that opens the German domestic season is coming up.
Perisic, a target of Inter Milan, scored Die Wolfe’s only goal of this pre-season tournament so far, and is 11/4 to repeat that anytime. De Bruyne, who is reportedly interesting Manchester City, is the same price. Bendtner is a 6/1 shot to grab the opener against his former club.
Arsenal were rampant against Lyon, but can expect a sterner test in their own stadium here. A matchday special of 3/1 (max stake £20) for a Gunners win with both teams being on target could be a worthy investment with punters able to make up to £60 profit.
Wenger’s strong line-up for the Emirates Cup opener suggests he is taking it seriously ahead of next weekend’s Community Shield against Chelsea across the capital at Wembley.
Petr Cech may start in goal, while England international trio Theo Walcott (4/1 to strike first), Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere (11/4 anytime) could be given outfield berths.
Six different scorers in the handsome victory over Lyon means the likes of Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlan, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey (2/1 anytime) may all play some part.
Watch out for Alex Iwobi, the nephew of Nigeria legend and former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha. He was on target too, and is 7/4 to repeat that feat.
