Betting Update; Arsenal v Chelsea with the bookmakers making Chelsea their 6/4 favourites

Added: (Fri Apr 17 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Over the past six months Arsene Wenger has faced serious criticism for virtually the first time in his 13-year reign as Gunners manager � so how ironic it would be if he ended the season with two trophies.

Arsenal�s emphatic 3-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night sent out a stark warning to Manchester United, their last-four opponents, and the Gunners� 18-match unbeaten run in the Premier League (10 wins, eight draws) makes them virtually assured of fourth place.

Now they�ve got a chance to contest their sixth FA Cup final under Wenger as they face a Chelsea side that has shown extraordinary defensive vulnerability over the past seven days. If you thought their conceding of three goals in 20 minutes against Bolton last weekend was an aberration, think again � Chelsea�s defending was equally fragile when they leaked four to Liverpool on home soil in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Perhaps the best thing about this fixture for the Blues is that it�s not taking place at Stamford Bridge.

The bookies have priced up the game about right, making Chelsea 8/5 (Blue Square) favourites, Arsenal 21/10 (Bet365) underdogs and the 90-minute draw 11/5 (generally available) � so goals look a better option. I wouldn�t talk anybody out of backing over 2.5 goals at 27/20 (Bet365), but Arsenal are good enough to force extra-time, so for that reason I wouldn�t rule out a 1-1 draw, either (11/2, generally available). Both teams to score looks the best option to me, which is available at a tempting price of 19/20 (Bet365). And remember � all markets apply to 90 minutes only unless otherwise stated.

There are plenty of options in the anytime scorers market � Arsenal�s Robin van Persie (9/4) and Emmanuel Adebayor (5/2) both arrive fresh from finding the target against Villarreal, while Nicolas Anelka (12/5) will enjoy a particular welcome from the fans of his former club and Theo Walcott (5/1) will be keen to make an impact after his delicious chip against the Spaniards in the week.

But the stand-out bet is the most obvious one: Didier Drogba, who�s 2/1 (Paddy Power, Bwin) to score anytime and 6/1 (generally available) to score first or last. The Ivory Coast international is the selection not only because he�s in sensational form � eight goals in his last 10 games � but also because of his excellent record against Arsenal. In two games against the Gunners on neutral territory since joining the Blues, Drogba has scored four times, having bagged both goals in Chelsea�s 2-1 Community Shield win in 2005 and a brace to clinch another 2-1 victory in the League Cup final in 2007.

The striker�s in unstoppable form right now, so the price on him to find the net in 90 minutes is well worth taking.


Recommended Bets - 2pts Both teams to score (19/20)
Recommended Bets - 2pts Didier Drogba (Chelsea) to score anytime (2/1)



� All prices correct at time of writing.

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