Arsenal are favourites to finish third

Bookmakers make Arsenal 1.36 shots to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates, and it’s not surprising that they are long odds-on given that they are currently the form side in the Premiership.

The Gunners made it six wins in a row with a 1-0 victory at Everton on Wednesday when they went for the hosts from the start, got an early goal from Thomas Vermaelen and battled to protect it.

It was a very pleasing performance, especially as many of their victories this has have been come from behind affairs, and showed that they were discovering their form in all departments.

Arsene Wenger was particularly pleased with his side’s defensive resilience and that is a major plus given that they have not been lacking on the goal scoring front.

The same cannot be said of the visitors have been hit hard in the goal scoring department since the departure of Robbie Keane and injury to Darren Bent and simply lack the cutting edge to win games.

They have won two and lost just one of their five PL visits to the Emirates, but that was after going 12 without a win at Highbury and losing the last eight in a row.

Arsenal really should win with a bit to spare, and as usual it’s Robin van Persie who heads the goalscorer markets.

The Dutchman a 3.4 shot with bet365 to net first and 1.57 with Boylesports to score anytime.

However it’s Vermaelen that stands out as real value at 5.5 with Betfred to score anytime.

The centre-back is Arsenal’s joint-second top scorer in the league this season, and has bagged five goals in his last 17 games.

That makes the 5.5 on offer look big, especially when you thrown in the fact that most of his goals have come in streaks.

He netted three in six earlier in the season and, with strikes in his last two games has to be worth a wager at a juicy looking price.

I fancy Arsenal to win 2-0 is is my idea of the outcome, and that is a 6.5 chance with bet365.