Mikel Arteta has been criticised for being too conservative in his approach to almighty matches against Liverpool and Manchester City in the early days of the fledgling Premier League season but that won’t be the case in the Carabao Cup trip to Burslem to face Port Vale.
Arsenal are second in the top-flight standings after five matches but lost 1-0 at Anfield and required a glorious pass and exquisite finish in injury-time to snatch a point off Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The through ball was supplied by substitute Eberechi Eze and the sublime clip over the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma was produced by Gabriel Martinelli who also left the bench after the half-time interval.
The Gunners manager has received flak for not being amitious enough against the Reds and Pep Guardiola’s side.
They have already dropped five points to key rivals and that could ultimately be the reason why they fail to win their first title in what will be 22 years next May. Arteta is under pressure to win silverware and the chances of a run to the Carabao Cup final have been enhanced by their away draw against the Valiants who are hardly tearing up trees this season.
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Eze and Martinelli are both likely to start, Bukayo Saka is also likely to get significant minutes as he returns from injury and Ethan Nwaneri should be given the opportunity to continue his exciting development and he is 39/20 to score at any time with BetMGM.
The Gunners are 10/11 with bet365 to win by more than two goals and a 4-0 away win is 7/1 with the same firm, Betfred, Sporting Index and SpreadEx.
Carabao Cup odds
Tottenham have quietly matched their north London neighbours’ start to the season and are third in the table after showing character to gain a point at Brighton after trailing 2-0 in the first half.
They have lacked strength in depth in recent seasons but have a strong bench after some impressive summer acquisitions and are 5/4 with BetMGM to also win by over two goals when they entertain Doncaster with Brennan Johnson needing a run and 11/2 with Sky Bet to hit the first goal and 29/20 with BetMGM to score at any time.
Man City face more League One opposition and are 6/5 to beat Huddersfield, who have yet to live up to expectations this term, by the same margin but Newcastle may find life harder when they face third tier leaders Bradford City.
The Magpies should beat the Bantams but it may be a close as the hosts are struggling for goals and if Bradford really go for it they can reward punters who back them at 7/10 with Hills with a 2.5 goal start in their handicap market.
Rugby World Cup final odds
England are hot favourites to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup at a sold-out Twickenham on Saturday but the Red Roses will be made to work for their victory by Canada, who fully deserved their victory against New Zealand in last weekend’s semi-finals.
They are worth an interest at 4/5 with Betfred and BoyleSports with a nine-point start in their handicap markets.
Other rugby odds
Strewth! A new rugby union season starts this week with the league rebranded as the Prem which kinda makes it sound Australian, mate.
Defending champions Bath are 13/8 with SpreadEx and Sporting Lisbon to retain their title and although Louis Rees-Zammit is likely to run in a bundle of tries for neighbours Bristol Bears after returning form his experiences in the NFL, preference in the top tryscorer market goes to another prodigal son.
Henry Arundell can boost his chances of returning to international duty with England by starring for Bath after returning from Racing 92 and the 22-year-old, who can play at wing or fullback, is 9/1 with Hills to register the most tires this season.
