The last AGM meeting at Arsenal in October 2011 was vocal, noisy and full of emotion. During the meeting Peter Hill-Wood received resignation demands but the chairman, who may be the last Hill-Wood that will be a member of the Arsenal board, had no such plans.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you but I have no intention of stepping down,”

He also stressed that Alisher Usmanov still wasn’t welcome to the board despite the fact that he owns nearly 30 percent of shares in the club. His statement made me realise how little (and also how much) things have changed at Arsenal since 2007 when he said this:

“Peter Hill-Wood has said he opposes the involvement in Arsenal of Alisher Usmanov, who now owns 21% of the club’s shares, because it is not sufficiently clear how the businessman amassed his multibillion-pound fortune in Uzbekistan and Russia.

“He’s certainly not an open book,” the Arsenal chairman said. “Business is murky in Uzbekistan, and that in itself is an argument against him being involved in Arsenal. I wouldn’t want him to be the owner of the club.”
“…Stan Kroenke is involved in sport and we have had constructive meetings with him,” Hill-Wood said. “We have never been in better shape financially and do not want anybody to buy the club, but if Kroenke wanted to buy it he would understand it and how to maintain the standards. We have not met Usmanov, so I may be speaking prematurely, but he seems a different kettle of fish …”

Strong words and plenty of fans were relieved that our chairman didn’t want to do business with such a shady figure as Usmanov. At the same time questions were raised about David Dein – how could he sell his shares and do business with a person with such an uncertain past? Peter Hill-Wood’s respect rose among the supporters but what few or perhaps none of the Arsenal supporters know is that Peter Hill-Wood himself is doing business in the murky former Soviet. And yes, there are a rich and powerful fish with an unclear past, just like Usmanov, involved.

When I was a young Gooner I had huge respect towards the man whose family had been members of the board since 1929, but quite quickly I understood that Peter Hill-Wood sometimes says and does things that make him look really stupid. Despite this I trusted his judgment as a chairman and that he always did what was best for Arsenal. When Stan Kroenke suddenly appeared I trusted Hill-Wood when he said:

…”Call me old-fashioned, but we don’t need his money and we don’t want his sort…”
“…’Americans are buying up chunks of the Premiership football clubs and not because of their love of football but because they see an opportunity to make money…”

The following year in 2008, Stan Kroenke was a member of the board. Firstly I couldn’t understand why Peter Hill-Wood had changed his mind that quickly but then I realized it wasn’t just about Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov. It was also a personal battle between Peter Hill-Wood and David Dein. The former colleagues were now enemies and Hill-Wood didn’t hide his feelings for Dein in the media:

…”When was the last occasion he saw Dein? “The day I fired him.”
Was it Hill-Wood’s saddest day at Arsenal? “No. It was the saddest for Dein.”
Will he ever make his peace? “I will not get involved with him again – I will avoid it if I can help it.””…

In two months, between August and September 2007, billionaire Alisher Usmanov bought 23 percent of the shares in Arsenal and formed an alliance with Hill-Wood’s enemy Dein. It looked like just a matter of time before Dein was back in the board. When a shareholder has 50 percent plus one share or cooperates with other shareholders to get majority he/they got the power to decide the seats in the board. Hill-Wood knew he would be the first and last Hill-Wood to be kicked out of the Arsenal board if Usmanov bought the majority of the shares. In October 2007 Hill-Wood announced that the board decided to make a “lockdown agreement” on shares – an agreement that later were extended. The board members, who had the majority of the shares, could only sell to “permitted persons” and had to give fellow board members first option until October 2012. The agreement, which had a terminate clause in October 2010, meant that only board member Kroenke, and not Usmanov, had access to the clubs biggest shareholders. Kroenke bought shares from Fizman and increased his shares before October 2010 to 29,9 percent, close to the 29,99 percent takeover-rule. In April 2011, Danny Fizman decided to sell the rest of his shares. Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith was loyal to the board she later criticized, and also sold her shares to Kroenke who now got the majority and decide who will have a seat in the board and which strategy the club will have the coming years. A good effort from a man who only four years before wasn’t interested in buying any shares at all in Arsenal:

”At this point (26 March 2007), there is no interest or intention from KSE in buying any shares or any pieces of Arsenal Football Club or any club in the English Premier League,” said Jurgen Mainka, senior director of communications and international business at the Colorado Rapids, in a statement.

The Sunday Times reported this weekend that British broadcaster ITV was in talks with KSE about the sale of its 9.9 percent stake in Arsenal, worth an estimated $79 million. Mainka dismissed the speculation outright.
“There certainly is no substance to these stories and rumors in the media, which indeed started when we first announced our commercial relationship with Arsenal Football Club,” he said”…

Kroenke bought the shares from ITV ten days after the statement and since then we have heard several times from Peter Hill-Wood that the board wouldn’t allow a takeover. But in May 2011 Hill-Wood sent a recommendation to the shareholders to sell their shares to Kroenke. All the promises the last years were broken and forgotten. Hill-Wood’s position as chairman didn’t change despite Kroenke’s takeover. In fact, when he was criticized at the AGM meeting Kroenke – the only man who could fire him – defended Hill-Wood:

…”As Hill-Wood endeavoured to give an answer, Kroenke leaned over and seized the microphone. “Can I add something? We are all fans. Peter has our support. We are with you,” he said pointedly”…

If you read our annual reports the last years we have had huge profits after tax each year since 2007. When we won the FA Cup in 2005 we had less revenue, less profit and bigger net debt than today. As I haven’t found any official fees regarding transfers I can’t present profits from transfers but according to transferleague.com (which may not be exact but offers a good overview) we have received more money than we have spent since 2006. Between 1992 and 2006 we used to spend more than we received in transfers. The problem is that Arsenal sells players to get profit because we haven’t invested in the squad as we should the last years. We know that the most successful football clubs and clubs with big stars got the best commercial deals and also get more and more domestic and foreign supporters that spend money at the club. Commercial deals and fans don’t automatically generate success, but success often generates better commercial deals and more fans. And to get success you first need to invest, in this case in better footballers.

Year (1 June-31 May)                       Turnover        GR      Net Debt         Profit

2010/2011 CC-runner up                    £256m £93m   £97,8m            £12,6m

2009/2010                               £380m £94m   £135,6m          £61m

2008/2009                               £313m £100m £297,7m          £35,2m

2007/2008                               £223m £95m   £318,1m          £25,7m

2006/2007 CC-runner up                    £201m £91m   £268,2m          £2,8m

2005/2006 CL-runner up                    £137m £44m   £262m £7,9m

2004/2005 FA-cup-winners    £138m £37m   £153m £8,3m

2003/2004 FA-cup+PL-winners         £157m -           -           £8,2m

GR= Gate Revenues           Profit=Profit after tax

Arsenal doesn’t invest in stars, the strategy is to buy cheap and young, develop them and sell them to richer clubs. Dutch side Ajax is well-known to produce talents but look where they are as a club. They are struggling in the weak Dutch league and their brand is not as strong as it once was. Finishing third or fourth is not ‘attractive’, nor among companies or new fans. London is one of the biggest cities in the world but it’s much easier to get tickets to Arsenal now. The board blames the economic climate but it’s not the whole truth. There are two other top clubs in London and we have less and less supporters who are preparing to pay expensive tickets to see Arshavin or Chamakh’s lame efforts. The lack of ambition is destroying the brand. The public consider United as winners, and Arsenal have a ‘loser’ label right now and it will be more difficult to convince companies and supporters to give money without get anything back. Spurs’ success and stars imply better commercial deals and more fans. There are no big difference between our revenue from commercial deals and Spurs commercial revenue and with their new stadium their revenues will increase. The coming years will be very crucial for Arsenal’s future. A tour to Asia or Africa generates some revenue but it will not solve any problem. The fans in Asia are amazing but the club also needs to do more to keep and increase the supporters they have in UK. The gate revenues from foreign fans at Emirates are very small and it’s the supporters in UK that help the club reach over £90 million in gate revenues each season.

When I highlight my fears about Arsenal’s future and Stan Kroenke some people tells me that if something was wrong with the club the board wouldn’t accept it. They also say that the current board has provided Arsene Wenger with funds in the past, before the stadium was built. They are wrong. When we last won a trophy 2005 our board was: Peter Hill-Wood, David Dein, Richard Carr (grandson of former Arsenal Chairman Sir Bracewell Smith), Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, Danny Fizman, Ken Friar and Sir Roger Gibbs. Today, there are only two members left from the board that won titles and that’s the chairman Peter Hill-Wood and Ken Friar.

Board members that has left since the victory in the FA Cup 2005:

* Roger Gibbs was a non executive director from 1980 and retired in June 2006.
* David Dein, vice-chairman since 1983 leaves the club in April 2007 due to “irreconcilable differences” with the rest of the board (Hill-Wood admit he fired Dein).
* Keith Edelman, director from 2000 to May 2008.
* Richard Carr, director from 1981 to December 2008 left after rows with Hill-Wood.
* Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith got her place in the board representing her former husband’s family who had been linked with the club in 70 years. Left after rows with Hill-Wood in December 2008. Le Grove (twitter) wrote during the AST (Arsenal Supporters’ Trust) meeting at February 20, 2012: “Nina booted from board for having a Starbucks with the Usmanov people.”
* Danny Fizman past away in April 2011.
These members owned shares in Arsenal together with Granada (ITV) which owned 9,9 percent of the shares but wasn’t represented at the board.

Board members now (with Peter Hill-Wood and Ken Friar)

* Baron Harris of Peckham was appointed as a non-executive director in November 2005. Friend to Hill-Wood.
* Sir Chippendale Keswick was appointed as a non-executive director in November 2005. Long-time friend and former colleague to Hill-Wood at Hambros Bank (remember the name Hambro).
* Stan Kroenke becomes a non-executive director in September 2008, three months before Lady Nina and Richard Carr leaves the board.
* Ivan Gazidis is appointed as CEO in January 2009.

It’s about time all supporters understand that the board has changed totally since 2005 and business isn’t as usual. Three members and significant shareholders have left the board after rows with the chairman and Arsenal now has a majority owner who supports Hill-Wood. Lifelong servant Ken Friar strengthens the bonds with the past but those who think the 77-year-old director will raise his hand and say “Lets spend some f***ing money” have a wrong picture of Ken Friar. He has a nice company car, a salary-including bonuses at a staggering £677 000 and is very loyal to the other board members who gave him a bronze bust and named the North Bridge “The Ken Friar Bridge”. Why would he complain to his pals that they didn’t listen to Wenger’s fears in the media and at Arsenal.com that we needed to replace Cesc and Nasri last summer with same quality and money? Why would Peter Hill-Wood’s friends Peckham and Keswick complain to Hill-Wood? Why would Ivan Gazidis complain to the board that appointed him and gives him £1.6 million in salary and bonuses? And at last, why would Stan Kroenke complain that we don’t buy new players when his own shares have grown with an amazing speed since he bought shares at the price of £5 900 per share? Now the same share is worth over £15 500 and he has 41 574 shares! Today Kroenke is the only shareholder in the board he totally controls. Who really dares to question him regarding the clubs investment in the team? As we see above nearly all the board members from our successful years from the 1980’s to 2005, are gone.

We still have Arsene Wenger but we also know that he wasn’t the only force behind our success. Together with David Dein he formed one of the most successful partnerships off the pitch in modern British football. Look above and you see the four last of David’s seasons at Arsenal. One Premier League title, unbeaten in 49 games, two times FA-cup-winners, runner up in Champions League and runner up in Carling Cup (with youngsters). David has a football brain and wasn’t afraid of pushing the club forward and trying to improve the team. His main focus was the football and not the profit. He isn’t perfect – he wanted to move to Wembley instead of Emirates – but this was because of his desire of success on the pitch. He didn’t want the move to a new expensive stadium to affect our chances to win titles. David Dein loved the club and we can’t afford to have such an influential and intelligent football man outside the club anymore. When he left 2007 the ambition to be the best club in the country disappeared from the board and Arsenal FC became a company with more focus on profits.

When Hill-Wood stressed that business is murky in Uzbekistan and that in itself is an argument against Usmanov being involved in Arsenal I wonder if he thought about his own business in the Russian Far East with Pavel Maslovskiy, a man who certainly isn’t an open book (as Hill-Wood described Usmanov). From June, 2003, to May, 2011, Hill-Wood served as a non-executive director of Petropavlovsk PLC (formerly Peter Hambro Mining PLC) operating in the Amur Region, Russian Far East. Pavel Maslovskiy was one of the founders and also CEO in the company. John Helmer, a Moscow-based correspondent since 1989 specializing in the coverage of Russian business, wrote an article in 2010 where he compared Maslovskiy with the evil dwarf Rumpelstiltskin:

…”According to the US standard, when a public figure like Maslovsky promotes himself, his reputation, and his business record for selling shares to the public – no matter where – it is relevant for the share-buying public to know what has been published about him, especially in places where he is known best. What has been accused against him is relevant to be known, and therefore made public, even if the charges turn out to be untrue. Maslovsky’s silence, and the blanks in the prospectuses, should therefore be weighed against what the Russian media have been reporting over many years.
The point of these reported claims is that Maslovsky advertised in the fareast of Russia for shareholders to subscribe their funds to enable the development of the Pokrovsky goldmine. Those shareholders believed him, and handed over their money. But subsequently they did not receive dividends, and they then lost their stakes when Tokur Zoloto was ordered into bankruptcy by the Amur courts. Somehow, however, the Pokrovsky mine was sold by Maslovsky into the partnership he formed offshore with Peter Hambro. Maslovsky gained; the original shareholders of Tokur Zoloto lost. Did the shareholders really believe Rumpelstiltskin had the secret of weaving straw into gold? Were they liable for their naivety? Did Rumpy take care not to reveal his name this time around? The answer to those questions ought to be up to Maslovsky to answer. Because he refuses to acknowledge that the Tokur Zoloto bankruptcy occurred”…

Peter Hill-Wood, once vice-chairman of Hambros Bank, is friend with Peter Hambro who founded Peter Hambro Mining with Pavel Maslovskiy. Hill-Wood decided to buy shares and became a member of the board 2003. But why did Hill-Wood invest in gold mining if he doesn’t like murky businesses?

…”The turf wars are not over. The governor of a remote gold-rich province was shot dead on a Moscow street a year ago (2002). Russian media said he was killed because he was trying to crack down on illegal gold trade. A manager of Norilsk Nickel, Russia’s biggest gold company, was killed in April (2003).”…

In the same year as Hill-Wood joined the board, Peter Hambro Mining founded Aricom, an iron ore mining company. One of Aricom’s rivals was Metalloinvest, Russia’s largest iron-ore producer, where Usmanov is a big shareholder. How has that interfered on Hill-Wood’s unwillingness to let Usmanov be a part of the board? As a member of Audit Committee, Nomination Committee, Health, Safety & Environmental Committee and Risk Committee and appointed Senior Independent Director in Petropavlovsk PLC during the years Hill-Wood certainly cooperated with the CEO Pavel Maslovskiy. In December 2011 Maslovskiy resigned and became Senator of Amur region and Member of the Federation Council of Russia (the Upper House of the Russian Parliament). But the powerful Senator Maslovskiy still secured influence in Petropavlovsk PLC as Honorary President and is able to advise the current CEO Sergei Ermolenko (right hand to Maslovskiy when he was CEO) and attend in board meetings – despite his current position as Senator in the region where the company is active.

It doesn’t make any sense. What’s the difference from having a chairman in a murky business and an owner like Usmanov, which in this case was a rival to Aricom, in a murky business? It seems odd that he is willing to do business in a murky gold market with a Russian with unclear past but hasn’t allowed Alisher Usmanov to get into the board and help Arsenal with his contacts and knowledge as he isn’t an open book. Hypocrisy, and you can’t stop and wonder how this decision has affected Arsenal. As we understand Usmanov’s business in the former Soviet Union isn’t the real problem. The problem is he isn’t Hill-Wood’s friend. As Hill-Wood fired David Dein and had rows with two other members it was better for him that Usmanov wasn’t involved in the board, but his job as a chairman is to make decisions what’s best for Arsenal and not him personally. The lockdown agreement helped Kroenke but did it help Arsenal? How much did the chairman interfere in the takeover to secure his post as chairman? Now it’s too late as Kroenke have the majority and select the board but can we really trust that Hill-Wood and the board makes decisions what’s best for the team? The board lack members who understand football and how the club will get success on the pitch. In which criteria besides being friend of the chairman have the members been appointed? As usual there are a lot of questions concerning the Arsenal board.

“I wouldn’t want him to be the owner of the club.”

Well Peter, it’s not your club even if you seem to think that. When I look back at the board members who have left after rows with you and especially the stupid decision to fire David Dein (the man who brought Arsene Wenger and success), our transition from a club who won trophies with world-class-players to this average squad, and the state we are in now on and off the pitch with a silent majority owner that doesn’t care to visit the club in several months or care to invest time and money in Arsenal other than in his shares, I cant stop thinking about what you have done and how you have used the club as your own toy the last five years. You, Peter Denis Hill-Wood, warned us from Alisher Usmanov, but the biggest threat never was him or David Dein. The biggest threat was greed. Your greed, Mr. Hill-Wood.

EKA – Swedish Arsenal Supporter

People say Arsenal have leaders now. Above and beyond the sharp edge he gives to the attack, Robin van Persie has been a juggernaut of superhuman effort and deadly precision at crucial junctures of the season. However, there are times when Arsenal do not have their own way and whilst I have seen the team talking to each other about passing and closing down , there has not always been anybody driving the wider team strategy on the field.  When Arteta plays, he sits deeper than Song when the team has the ball most of the time and has given the team a natural spine. Through his professionalism, experience and air of class he brings a stamp of authority that the midfield lack in his absence, which is why the recent talk of Wenger negotiating with Rennes for Yann M’Vila interests me.

M’Vila, a deep playing midfielder with an solid engine and passing ability matched by no other in France, would likely give Arteta more licence to roam as suits his quick, technical game. Song’s chipped assists justify his forward-thinking style as long as he is provided with adequate cover. My personal favourite for a signing of a defensive midfielder might just be the 26 year old Lucas Biglia from Anderlecht. The Argentinian closes players down as quick as Ramires and caresses the ball in a way Javier Mascherano wishes he could.

Biglia put in a two footed block tackle against the USA recently, in a 1-1 friendly draw. Although, unnecessary and potentially violent, he landed a foot and a half from Clint Dempsey. The Fulham striker was furious and tried to intimidate him with his distinctly menacing eyes. Biglia smiled, shook his head and trotted away. My own view is his passing range is not the same as M’Vila over 30 yards, but he would harden the centre of the team at its core. Biglia is a player both Guardiola and Mourinho would target for this team.

If the middle of the pitch is secure, strong and established the rest of the team have their yardstick to work from. Song alongside Arteta, Biglia, or M’Vila feed the attackers the ball, protect the central defence and define the movement of the fullbacks. Passers like Arteta are also a great asset to feeding the wide forward players. I can see Arteta and Podolski having a great creative bond. In this respect. Arteta has not played with a wide forward of his calibre before who has such timing, drive and a tremendous resolve to win. I hope Podolski has the impact he should do. Players like Ryo Miyaichi are going to watch his finishing, his preparation before games and see his gratitude to be given a second chance at a big club. This should spur them on and make them appreciate their own opportunity.

Ryo has a good brain, quick feet and a assured personality. He deserves to playing with players with movement, touch and drive. However, playing him at Bolton Wanderers alongside a perennial under achiever like David N’Gog or a one-dimensional brute like Kevin Davies gave him a mantle to excel and space to attack. I would like to see him undertake a further year on loan at Aston Villa. I fancy them to rally under a new manager, and playing alongside Darren Bent would help him. Bent is a typically English forward, athletic and natural in front of goal. He’d finish the chances Ryo would make which would make both of them look good.

Follow me on Twitter: @Detective82

All we’re asking of our applicants is that they submit a picture to our Facebook app of their favourite footballing moment, memory, experience plus a maximum of 100 words explaining why that moment was so special.

We’ll ask our FA accredited referee to judge which 5 entrants are the best, then we’ll put them to a public vote and use those votes to help decide on who should be put through to Munich.

You can enter through the app on our Facebook page. Or you can directly through via this link (Competition app).

If you know any young talented Gooner’s who’d like to represent the UK over in Germany for a week, share this link and get them entering!

Here’s an explanation of what happens from Munich.

In August 2012, Allianz will host the fourth international Allianz Junior Football Camp in Munich. Teenagers from 14 to 16 years will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet stars of FC Bayern Munich, participate in a professional football practice with official coaches of the club, visit the city of Munich and watch a match of FC Bayern Munich live at the Allianz Arena.

This unique camp experience will be a fantastic and unforgettable event for every participant. Teenagers have the opportunity to meet other passionate footballers from all over the world. We will further encourage this exchange between different countries (e.g. mixed groups during football training sessions).

Camp participants will enjoy an exciting program:

• Practice with FC Bayern Munich coaches:
• Meet FC Bayern stars
• Allianz Arena tour
• FC Bayern match
• Sightseeing tour
• 5-aside tournament
• Intercultural activities (e.g. Farewell Party)

Good luck!

If you are thinking of placing a bet on an upcoming Arsenal fixture but are unsure which bookmakers to choose to make these bets then why not head to Bwin Sportsbook today for all of the latest betting odds on your beloved Gunners!

Kudos to Sky Sporks News for this accurate graphic.

Next season promises to be another exciting, entertaining and enthralling Premier League campaign for Arsenal Football Club.

Here are just 5 reasons why Gooners’ around the globe have reasons to be excited ahead of the 2012/13 season.

1. Arsenal are guaranteed a place in the Champions League group stage, meaning no qualification fixture will disrupt the club’s pre-season.

2. Jack Wilshere will return from injury. The future England captain is one of the most exciting talents Arsenal have produced in recent years.

3. New signing Lukas Podolski looks likely to partner Robin van Persie upfront. Goals are almost guaranteed from the exciting German and Dutch frontmen.

4. Deadwood will be sold. The likes of Sebastien Squillaci, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela, Manuel Almunia and many more are on their way out the club, subsequently freeing up squad places and wages.

5. Big players want to come to Arsenal. Yann M’Vila has been heavily linked with Arsenal and could be one of several showpiece signings this summer.

Do you agree with the potential starting XI for next season? Leave your views in the comments section below.

Arsenal are 1.67 shots to win their final game of the season against West  Brom at the Hawthorns and look a solid bet to do so.

It will be Arsene Wenger’s 600th league game as manager and victory would  ensure that they finish third.

They do come into the match having gone four games without a victory and  having let in three against Norwich last week the defence will need to be much  tighter if they are to prevail as West Brom are in decent form having last just  one of their last six games.

It will also be the last game in charge for their gaffer Roy Hodgson, and  both he and the players will want to end his brief era on a high.

However as far as the head-to-head stats are concerned the Baggies have won  just two and lost seven of the 11 Premier League games against Arsenal and won  just won and lost three played on their own patch.

That suggest that Arsenal are worthy favourites at 1.67 with bet365, Betfred  and Paddy  Power.

However there also looks to be some value to be had in the goal scorer  markets involving a certain Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman has scored 37 this season, including 3 in the last two games,  and scored first when these sides met in November.

That makes the 4.2 on offer with Paddy  Power about him bagging the opener look very attractive.

But given that he has also found the net in three of his four starts  against West Brom a safer bet is surely to back him at 1.8 with Boylesports  to net anytime. That looks a big price considering that many firms go just  1.57.

I think that Arsenal will be able to edge this, and if you like to play in the correct score market then 2-1 is the suggestion.

That scoreline is an 8 shot with bet365, Betfred  and Paddy  Power.

Arsenal’s 2012/13 kit was revealed in the club’s shop earlier today.

The Gunners shirt appears almost unchanged from this season’s offering, apart from navy trim around the neck and sleeves.

As has been the norm since 1995, the design was thought up by a mixture of Nike and Arsenal’s commercial departments with many Gooners still undecided on whether the shirt is ‘better’ than the current 125th anniversary kit.

What are your thoughts about Arsenal’s new home shirt for next season? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

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Arsenal are a top priced 1.25 to take care of Norwich at the Emirates this weekend and everything suggest they are bankers to do just that and step another step closer to securing third place.

In truth, both sides come into this in poor form having failed to win any of their last three games. However the Gunners are by far the better side and should have little difficulty getting back on the winning trail if the stats are anything to go by.

Arsene Wenger’s men have won each of their last four games against the Norwich and only Man City have conceded fewer home goals than them this season.

That’s good reading, especially when you throw in the fact that Paul Lambert’s men would be in the bottom three judged on their last six games and have conceded 11 times in the last 3.

It really should be easy for Arsenal, but rather than back them at a 1.25 I would suggest a punt on them in the HT/FT market at 1.67 with Paddy Power.

Norwich were dreadful in defence last weekend against Liverpool, and Arsenal are sure to go for it right from the first whistle.

I simply cannot see the visitors to hold out in the first 45 minutes, and the game could actually be all but over by half-time as the floodgates could open if Arsenal make an early breakthrough.

Robin van Persie got back on the scoresheet against Stoke last weekend, and once again is favourite to break the deadlock and is an obvious punt at a top priced 3.5 with Paddy Power.

Also given that only Liverpool have allowed fewer shots on target against them in the top flight this season, it’s not hard to see Arsenal keeping a clean sheet against a visiting side that lack any real firepower.

They are 1.83 chances with bet365 to do so, and that looks a terrific price.

Arsenal to win 3-0 or 4-0 seems like the best bet and that is an 8.5 poke with Paddy Power.