Starting the season at home doesn’t actually help Arsenal

Countering a popular North London conspiracy theory

The fixtures for the 2009-10 season are released on Wednesday and the luck of the draw can have a significant impact on a team’s fortunes.

Cynical? Well take the example of Stoke, who faced the Big Four seven times in their opening 22 fixtures last season. By the end of that period they were in the relegation zone with 21 points but it mean that they had 15 successive games against tiring, less intimidating teams before facing Arsenal on the final day. They took 24 points from those games, guaranteeing safety with two games to spare and rendering a 4-1 loss at the Emirates irrelevant.

There’s a popular conspiracy theory among Tottenham fans that the fixture generators favour Arsenal and neglect them, which is backed up by the fact the Gunners have started 13 of their 17 Premier League campaigns at home, while Spurs have kicked off just four of theirs at White Hart Lane.

Those figures suggest that they have a case, although they don’t take into account that Arsenal actually fare better when they start on the road.

Posted: June 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Arsenal and Chelsea tear up the Big Four form book

Six stats about this weekend’s football

1. Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Arsenal yesterday was their first against a fellow Big Four side in the league all season, while it was the Gunners’ first loss. It also ended their 21-match league unbeaten run.

2. Arsenal lost just one home match in their first two seasons at the Emirates but they have been beaten there four times in this campaign. It was the first time since October 2002 that they have lost successive home games.

3. Hull have taken just eight points from their last 20 games, winning just once. Stoke have taken 23 over the same period and even West Brom have managed 19.

Posted: May 11th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Arsenal should beat Man Utd tonight

Arsenal/Manchester United, 7.45pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal have underperformed in their two previous semi-final matches this season but Arsene Wenger is confident that his side will deliver tonight and the statistics support him. And if Emmanuel Adebayor can keep his head out of the Milanese clouds for just 90 minutes, his partnership with Robin van Persie could make the difference:

Click here to claim a £25 no loss bet when backing Arsenal at 2.92 on Betfair. The Gunners are currently 4.4 to progress.

1. Arsenal have won two and drawn one of their three home games against Manchester United at the Emirates.

2. The Gunners are currently enjoying their best home form of the season having won six straight matches there.

Posted: May 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Everton chase fourth straight 1-0 win away to Sunderland

Sunderland/Everton, Sun 4pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

A 0-0 draw at the Emirates back in February saw Sunderland climb into the top-half - the appointment of Ricky Sbragia appeared inspired and safety almost certain. However, they have won just one of eight since then, losing five of their last six. They are just four points clear of the bottom three and Everton will be looking to pile on the doom.

Five reasons why 1-0 Everton looks a good bet at 9.2 on Betfair:

1. Everton have won 1-0 on their last three visits to the Stadium of Light.

2. Five of their eight away wins this season have come by that scoreline.

Posted: May 1st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Arsenal can’t be written off despite losing the first leg

Five stats about this week’s Champions League semi-finals

1. Manchester United have scored on each of their three previous trips to the Emirates, despite only taking a point from those games.

2. However, Arsenal’s current home defensive record has been fantastic despite their injury problems. The Gunners have conceded just once in their last 12 games at the Emirates.

3. Arsene Wenger’s side have never failed to score in nine meetings with the Big Four sides at the Emirates. They have scored twice in each of their three home games there against Manchester United.

Posted: April 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Arsene Wenger hunts for first win over Gareth Southgate

Arsenal/Boro, Sunday 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 league games while Middlesbrough have lost their last nine on the road so at first glance this looks like a home banker where the hosts’ 4/9 odds are fully justified. However, Gareth Southgate appears to know exactly how to set his team up when facing the Gunners:

» Southgate has faced Arsenal five times as a manager but has never been defeated - winning once and drawing four.

» The Gunners’ unbeaten run won’t intimidate Boro, who ended Arsenal’s 15 game unbeaten start to last season with a 2-1 win at the Riverside.

Posted: April 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment