Arsenal v Blackpool
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 21 August 2010 - Kickoff 3pm

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Arsenal

Arsene Wenger decided that he would not start the game at Liverpool with his 2 best players in Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie but the side were good value for the point they picked up at Anfield, albeit thanks to a timely intervention from Pepe Reina in goal. Arsenal may be concerned with the lack of clear goal scoring opportunities that were created with all the possession they had and the fact that they played the 2nd half against 10 men, but the return of Fabregas and Van Persie should rectify matters.

Arsenal were very strong at the Emirates last season, finishing with a 15-2-2 record, scoring 48 goals and conceding just 15. The 2 defeats came against the sides that finished above them in the table, but generally the Gunners were ruthless in their disposing of teams here. In fact, 13 of their 15 victories at home were achieved with a margin of 2 goals or more and Arsenal managed to score 4 or more goals on 7 occasions. The Gunners were particularly strong against those sides finishing in the bottom half of the table, winning all 10 games at home against them.

There is an early season injury crisis at the Emirates with Samir Nasri the latest to be ruled out for a length of time. Laurent Koscielny was sent off on his debut last week and is suspended while Denilson, Johann Djourou and Nicolas Bendtner are all likely to be missing for this game.

Possible Arsenal Line Up: Almunia, Sagna, Vermaelen, Song, Clichy, Diaby, Fabregas, Eboue, Walcott, Arshavin and Van Persie (4-3-3)

Blackpool

Blackpool stunned many with their performance last week at Wigan and would have made anyone who tipped a 0-4 win a very rich and happy person. Ian Holloway didnt change his management style as Blackpool played some good football but were heavily helped out by Wigan's total non-performance, later attributed to the training ground bust up between Charles N'Zogbia and Roberto Martinez. Things have not been so smooth off the pitch as it has been on for Blackpool and their chairman Karl Oyston resigned in protest at the manner business is conducted in the top flight.

The Seasiders will be hoping to improve on an erratic away form from last season in the Championship and their opening day win was a welcome bonus. They had struggled to a 6-7-10 away record in the Championship, including defeats at fellow promoted clubs Newcastle United and West Bromich Albion, and it will be interesting to see if their win at Wigan will give them more confidence on their travels.

Billy Clarke and Keith Southern remain long term absentees for Holloway to choose from. Dekel Keinan became their latest signing this Summer as Blackpool look to improve their squad.

Possible Blackpool Line Up: Gilks, Cathcart, Crainey, Evatt, Baptiste, Vaughan, Adam, Grandin, Taylor-Fletcher, Ormerod and Hareweood (4-3-3)

Prediction

Arsenal will want to come out and match the performances that Chelsea and Manchester United gave last week in their games with newly promoted clubs at home. The return of Fabregas to the side is key, especially now Nasri is ruled out, and they should feel confident after home performances against the lesser sides last season.

Blackpool received a huge boost with their win at Wigan last week, but I still think that had more to do with Wigan putting in an awful shift rather than Blackpool being fantastic. While I was impressed with the result, many of the goals came from Wigan defensive mistakes and I do not think they will be given that kind of luxury this weekend.

Arsenal seem to score goals for fun against the sides that finished in the bottom half last season, only failing to score 2 or more goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This is one of the toughest examinations Ian Holloway's side are going to get all season and not one I think they will cope with.

I cant see beyond an easy Arsenal home win here as Blackpool come crashing back down to earth.

The Pick :

Arsenal 4-0 Blackpool

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Arsenal - 2.25 Asian Handicap