CAN Arsenal maintain their assault on second place? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) previews their Monday night match with Swansea.
Arsenal v Swansea | Monday 20:00 | Sky Sports 1
It's a second consecutive Monday night match for Arsenal as they face Swansea at the Emirates. Last week they got the better of Hull and it's no surprise to see them chalked up as short as 2/7 to beat the Welsh side. Blimey, those are cramped odds though.
I'm not sure Garry Monk gets enough credit for what he's done this season. His side lie 8th in the table despite the sale of star striker Wilfried Bony in January. Relegation has never been a concern.
Just consider the number of plaudits Southampton have (rightly) received this season and then consider that if Swansea win this game tonight they'll sit just one point beneath them.
What about Arsenal though? How can you take them on? It's over three months since they lost a Premier League game, they've won nine of their last 10 games. Sensational form.
Their league form at The Emirates since November reads: P12 W10 D1 L1. That one defeat coming against Manchester United when they dominated the game.
So we know Arsenal are pretty solid. But what about Swansea in these type of games? Bar that opening day win at Manchester United they've generally struggled against the bigger sides away. Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham have all beaten them on their own patch so another loss looks likely.
Crucially though, Swansea did score in all those games and that's the angle I'm taking here. I think Monk's men are definitely capable of registering. They've scored in five of their last six matches and as mentioned above netted at Stamford Bridge, the Etihad, Old Trafford and Anfield this season.
I'm going to be adventurous and back 3-4 goals in the Total Goals market at 11/8 with Sportingbet. I'll also get intimate with 2-1 and 3-1 Arsenal wins on the Correct Score market at heaving odds.
Best Bets
Arsenal v Swansea – Exactly 3 or 4 Goals (11/8 Sportingbet)
Arsenal v Swansea – Arsenal to win 2-1 (19/2 BetVictor)
Arsenal v Swansea – Arsenal to win 3-1 (11/1 Bet365)
