FA Cup 
/ Frank Gregan / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Nicklas Bendtner and other members of the Arsenal second string will be out in force at Brisbane Road
"If Arsenal are not mentally right for this game they could be on the wrong end of an embarrassing cup shock."
Sunday afternoon's derby looks like a classic David v Goliath - so can the little guy slay the big guy this time round? Frank Gregan has the answers
Sunday February 20
Kick Off 16:30, live on ESPN
Arsenal face League One opponents for the second consecutive time in the FA Cup having disposed of Huddersfield in the last round. This time they have to leave the comfort of the Emirates and travel exactly 5.7 miles across London to take on Leyton Orient. Brisbane Road will prove a different challenge to Barcelona but if Arsenal are not mentally right for this game they could be on the wrong end of an embarrassing cup shock.
Orient come into the match in great shape, they were walloped 5-0 at Brighton on New Year's Day but since then have gone 11 games in all competitions without defeat and have won their last three. They have no suspensions but there is a major doubt about the fitness of midfielder Matthew Spring who will take a test and Adam Chambers (shin) is definitely ruled out.
Arsenal welcome back Sebastien Squillaci and are hopeful that fellow defender Johan Djourou will pass a fitness test and take his place alongside Squillaci in the heart of the defence which will enable Arsene Wenger to rest Laurent Koscielny. Bacary Sagna has completed his suspension but Abou Diaby is still banned.
Match Odds: Leyton Orient [10.5] Arsenal [1.32] The Draw [6.2]
The huge gap in class in these two sides is reflected in this market. I expect Arsenal to win (I can imagine the readers thinking 'no kidding Sherlock') but the odds are too skinny given that they needed a last minute penalty to secure a draw against Leeds in the third round of this competition and were beaten in their first leg Carling Cup semi against Ipswich.
The Gunners under Arsene Wenger have never lost in 25 FA Cup ties against lower division opponents. Arsenal seem to have learned that prioritising competitions leads to an empty trophy cabinet and this season they seem to be taking a scatter-gun approach by trying to win everything in the hope that they will at least win something.
It's working so far but the last thing Arsenal need here is a draw. They have just started a sequence of five games in 17 days, a replay would mean a sixth. The only recommendation in this market is In-Play, if Arsenal go behind in the first half then back the Gunners to win at any price over [2.0].
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Orient are averaging two goals a game at home in the league this season and have scored three goals or more in their last three games. The O's striker Scott McGleish has scored six goals in his last five FA Cup games whilst for Arsenal Robin Van Persie has scored five goals in his last seven. It's therefore no surprise to see 'overs' at [1.55] with unders at [2.74].
Both Teams to Score
The last time Arsenal kept a clean sheet in the FA Cup was against Burnley in the fifth round two seasons and seven ties ago. In the last round at home to Huddersfield they were matched at better than [2.0] to win to nil against the League One side and ended up fortunate only to concede one goal. Orient also have trouble keeping a clean sheet in this competition having managed only one in their last ten attempts. Those stats make the the [1.96] available on both teams to score look tempting.
Asian Handicap
This is the market to use if you fancy Arsenal but don't like backing long odds on. Split your stake and use half of it to back Arsenal -1.5 goals at [1.84] prior to kick off. Watch the action and if Arsenal don't score early back them again at odds of [2.2] or greater In-Play with the second half of your stake. That will reap a total return at odds slightly better than [2.0] should the Gunners win by two goals or more.
Recommended Bets:
Best Bet: Back Arsenal -1.5 goals in the Asian Handicap at [1.84] and again In-Play at [2.2] or better
Other Recommendation: Back Both Teams to Score at [1.96]
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