Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal: Another bucket list tick for Wenger

Sheffield Wednesday 7.87/1 v Arsenal 1.4840/85; The Draw 5.04/1
Tuesday, 19:45
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Sheffield Wednesday

What happens when you put a former Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas coach in charge of a bottom-half Championship club? They climb the table, on the evidence of the first few months of Carlos Carvalhal's tenure at Sheffield Wednesday.

His side are ninth after 13 league games, a mere five points shy of an automatic promotion place, with 20 points rendering this their best start to a season at this level in 25 years.

The presence of Thai owners and a Portuguese boss hasn't stopped them from retaining a British spine either, as the likes of Tom Lees, Barry Bannan and Ross Wallace have been key contributors to their early success, which extends to an eight-match unbeaten run.

Arsenal

Four successive victories makes for the Gunners' longest winning streak in over six months, yet it isn't just the fact that they are prevailing but the identity of the teams that they are dismissing that is the greatest cause of excitement.

Wins to nil over Manchester United and Bayern Munich were naturally highlights, though there was also much to admire in the 3-0 romp away to Watford, who conceded once in their opening four as hosts, and a 2-1 triumph over previously undefeated travellers Everton.

Arsene Wenger kindly did this previewer's job for him team news-wise, summarising that: "There are no new problems from Saturday. Per Mertesacker is available again after illness. Nobody else is coming back. Mikel Arteta will not be fit. Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky of course are all out too. David Ospina is still out too, so Petr Cech will certainly play."

Match Odds

Sheffield Wednesday's win at Newcastle in the last round should ensure that Arsenal avoid the underestimation error that cost them dearly against Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, especially as the Owls are even more formidable at Hillsborough. Their 2015/16 record there reads P8 W5 D2 L1.

However, the visitors are unlikely to be flustered by those figures. They have won nine of their 12 domestic fixtures this term, including a superb six from seven away from the Emirates, with the sole exception coming when they controversially finished two men light at Chelsea in September.

Those who disagree with this assessment and want a reason to back Wednesday at 7.87/1 can use this as encouragement: Wenger has never beaten them at Hillsborough. Two of his last three trips - the latest in 2000 - ended in defeat, with the north Londoners winless in six there dating back to 1993.

Both Teams to Score

For all their joy on the road this season, Arsenal don't deliver their best defensive displays when clocking up miles, keeping only one clean sheet in five and being breached twice in three of those encounters. Additionally, they have achieved a solitary shutout on their past 11 Capital One Cup away days.

Sheffield Wednesday haven't been silenced in front of their fans since Valentine's Day, a sequence stretching 15 goal-drenched games. They leaked in ten of the most recent 12 against clubs from the top two divisions. Combining both teams to score with Gunners glory yields odds of around 3.259/4.

Recommended Bet:

Back Arsenal to win and both teams to score @ 3.259/4

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