Bournemouth Vs Arsenal
Monday 27th January 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
English FA Cup
Pick: Arsenal to WIN
Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 24th January 2020 at 20:10)
Preview: No team has made this competition their own quite like Arsenal during recent times. Can new manager Mikel Arteta help keep alive their dream of a record-extending 14th FA Cup when his team makes its way to the Vitality Stadium to tackle Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth?
FA Cup Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Bournemouth Preview – More pressing matters lie elsewhere?
For Eddie Howe and Bournemouth, remaining in the Premier League is the ultimate goal this season. Or any season for that matter. This partly explains why the club has never progressed deep in this competition since gaining promotion to the top-flight in 2015, exiting at the third round in each of the past three campaigns. The sheer fact they are still standing is a significant departure from the norm in itself, but it may not last for too much longer.
The Cherries surprised no-one when rotating personnel for the previous round’s tie, opting to leave the likes of their best goalkeeper, defender and forward out of the initial starting XI for what was ultimately a routine victory over Championship side Luton. Eddie Howe’s men put four goals past a team rooted to the bottom of England’s second tier – the first time this team scored more than once in any game for over a month (7 matches without doing so).
Now, however, the Bournemouth manager faces a selection dilemma. After securing a first league win for seven games last time out, registering a 3-1 win at home to Brighton on Tuesday, does he now make changes thus risking some rare and potentially crucial momentum? Alternatively he could hold back some of his more influential figures ahead of a crucial run of league fixtures, with two of the next three said matches against relegation rivals? I suspect it could well prove to be the latter.
Arsenal Preview – Gunners gradually improving under Arteta?
As the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup, lifting the trophy on thirteen occasions, there was never much chance of Arsenal naming a weakened team at home to Leeds United in the previous round. Especially with their manager being a former player who happened to pick up two winners medals during a five-year stint in North London. So it will, in all likelihood, be another strong line-up named for Monday’s clash, which can be seen in either a positive or negative light.
It goes without saying that having your better players on the pitch greatly enhances a team’s prospects. However, Arsenal have worked harder over the past month under Mikel Arteta than they arguably ever did under Unai Emery. Tuesday’s gutsy effort at Stamford Bridge a perfect example of this, working tirelessly – even more so after David Luiz was dismissed midway through the first half – to keep Chelsea at arms length in a 2-2 draw that twice seen them dig deep to grab unlikely equalisers.
No doubt buoyed by that spirited display last time out, The Gunners should therefore approach this game in reasonably high spirits. A six day recuperation period may also help. Arteta remains shorn of the suspended duo of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Luiz, though, while it is now just two wins from seven (W2 D4 L1) since the new manager was installed. Neither success came on the road meanwhile, drawing all three away matches so far under the Spaniard.
Click here for more Betting Tips
Betting Summary
At around Evens, Arsenal could make a mockery of their odds. The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw in this same fixture on Boxing Day, but that was Mikel Arteta’s first match in charge. Since then The Gunners have lost only once (W2 D4 L1) and improved various aspects of their play with every passing game. Not having David Luiz in defence, who is suspended after being shown a red card in midweek, could also be a blessing in disguise as the team goes searching for a first away win under their new manager.
Bournemouth Vs Arsenal – Key Facts:
- Beating Brighton 3-1 at home on Tuesday was only a second win in eight for Bournemouth (W2 D1 L5).
- Their hard-fought 2-2 draw away to Chelsea in midweek extended Arsenal‘s unbeaten streak under Arteta to five (W2 D3), however, they have now drawn the last three in succession.
- On Boxing Day, Bournemouth halted Arsenal’s winning run of three games in head-to-head meetings by securing a point in a 1-1 draw at home.
Whereas Arsenal appear to be gradually improving with every passing game, it has been the exact opposite at Bournemouth. The club are third-bottom in the Premier League, despite Tuesday’s win over Brighton – their first win in seven in the league, losing five of six beforehand. Moreover, The Cherries have shown no desire to do well in this competition in recent times, exiting at the third round three seasons running prior to beating a Luton side rock-bottom of the Championship this season.
Best Betting Odds for Bournemouth Vs Arsenal
Bournemouth – 3/1 Betway
Draw – 14/5 Betfair
Arsenal – 10/11 Ladbrokes
