Arsenal were cut from 9/2 to 16/5 to finish in the Champions League places after an impressive victory over rival top four contenders West Ham on Wednesday…
“One thing is certain, with a three-horse race for the title and at least four teams battling it out to break into the top four, it’s set to be a brilliant second half of the season.”
The Gunners ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over David Moyes’ men – helped by a red card to Hammers defender Vladimír Coufal – to move about the east Londoners into the top four.
Our traders immediately moved them into 16/5 second favourites (discounting the top three) in the top 4 finish market, with West Ham pushed out to 6/1. The Gunners are only behind Manchester United who are two points behind Arsenal but with a game in hand and remain odds-on favourites at 10/11.
Tottenham are four points behind Mikel Arteta‘s men but with no fewer than three games in hand after a Covid outbreak and they are rated a 10/3 shot – having been 7/1 when Antonio Conte took the reins.
Betfair’s Sam Rosbottom said: “The race to finish in the top four is really heating up and last night Arsenal announced that they were serious contenders for a place in the Champions League spots. Prior to kick off against West Ham, Arteta’s side were 9/2, but following their statement 2-0 win, they are now into 16/5 to finish in the coveted elite European places.
“West Ham, who had previously occupied fourth place before their defeat last night, are now out to 6/1, while Man United still have the expectation of the punters at 10/11 and Spurs also in the running at 10/3 for top four.
“One thing is certain, with a three-horse race for the title and at least four teams battling it out to break into the top four, it’s set to be a brilliant second half of the season.”
Will Arsenal make the top four? The race is on after their win over West Ham last night.
They’ve been cut from 9/2 to 16/5.
Man Utd remain the 10/11 favourites to join Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea in next season’s Champions League. pic.twitter.com/Uov5kZijtA
? Betfair (@Betfair) December 16, 2021
The good performance against West Ham has seemingly justified Arteta’s decision to drop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and strip him off the captaincy. The frontman has been linked with a move to Barcelona who are in the market for a striker after the retirement of Sergio Aguero.
Source: Betfair Premier League
