Arsenal will be looking to press home their advantage when they host Bournemouth in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The Gunners passed a huge test of their Premier League title credentials when they saw off Tottenham in a helter-skelter North London derby on their travels last Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s men could now extend their lead at the summit of the table to four points, at least for a few hours, as Manchester City are in action later in the day when they entertain Wolves.
More crucially, there could be a timely boost for Arsenal as Jurrien Timber, who has been sidelined since August with what was originally perceived to a season-ending injury, is in contention to make his first-team return, plugging their left-back worries.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have been bounding along nicely. Since picking up their first win of the league campaign in October, they have yielded 45 points from 26 matches, and only the current top four have collected more points over the same period.
But will the Cherries stave off tittle-chasing Arsenal? I have pored over the betting markets and highlighted a couple of tips for you to consider adding to your slips.
Arsenal to make light work of Bournemouth
There will have been a huge sigh of relief last weekend when Arsenal scrambled over the line in a typically pulsating North London derby. They weren’t at their best, but at this stage of the season, it doesn’t matter so much.
The Gunners got the job done and clinched a 3-2 victory when in the past, they may have folded and dropped points.
Anyway, Arsenal, who have scored a league-high 85 goals from their 35 matches at an average of 2.4 goals per game, representing their best return since the 1934/35 campaign, will relish facing Bournemouth.
Although Arsenal had to mount a stunning comeback from 2-0 down at the Emirates against Bournemouth last term, they prevailed 3-2, and they boast a 100% record on home soil against Cherries (six from six). The Gunners have only played more home league games against Stoke while maintaining a 100% record (10/10) which underlines their supremacy against Bournemouth.
Arsenal will need to be mindful of Justin Kluivert, who has registered four goal involvements in his past six Premier League games (three goals and one assist), but unlike the travails of last term, I think they will come through this clash with flying colours.
Let’s not forget either that Bournemouth have never kept a clean sheet at the Emirates in the league and they have only picked up five points from 13 Premier League clashes.
So, for my first pick, I’m going with Arsenal to win to nil which is available at a very slim price of 6/5 with Paddy Power.
Kai Havertz to grab the limelight
Of Arsenal’s signings last summer, Kai Havertz appeared to be the most baffling.
It didn’t seem like he would suit their style of play, and I ought to be forgiven for being one of his sternest critics.
Despite not being the archetypal forward, the German has surpassed many expectations, and the goals have flowed lately.
Three goals in his past two outings, and 12 in total so far in his debut league campaign for the Gunners, is far from shabby.
He should get ample chances to add to his tally against Bournemouth this weekend, and to round things off, I’m backing Havertz to net a double advertised at a juicy 7/1 with bet365.
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