Hiccups at home leave Arsenal seeking away solace

Football is indeed a funny game... perhaps that’s what makes it so popular after all.

Occasions when elite teams like Arsenal go down in front of their own fans against modest opposition, leaving the pundits without words, add more credence to this belief.

In fact, the Gunners have already lost twice at the Emirates Stadium this season, the upsets coming against promoted teams West Brom (2-3) and Newcastle (0-1).

In midweek, Arsenal chalked up their second away win when beating Wolves 2-0 and tomorrow the Londoners remain on their travels to tackle Everton.

Arsene Wenger admitted that striker Robin van Persie was not ready for action when he put him on in the second half against Newcastle.

Aaron Ramsey is on the mend after an outing with the reserves side as Wenger had another go at FIFA for the amount of friendly internationals that are seriously hampering both club and country.

Everton stretched their undefeated run in the Premier League to six matches following the home draw against Bolton.

The Toffeemen have lost once at Goodison Park in six encounters, 0-1 to Aston Villa.

Manager David Moyes revealed that Marouane Fellaini could return from injury two weeks earlier than anticipated.

In their last three clashes with Arsenal at Goodison Park, Everton drew once and conceded two heavy defeats – 1-4 and 1-6.

Leaders Chelsea, having increased their advantage on second-placed Manchester United to four points after beating Fulham 1-0, stay at Stamford Bridge to entertain Sunderland.

After his team’s second league defeat at Liverpool, manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the brilliance of Fernando Torres was the difference between the sides.

Manchester United will again play away from home this afternoon following the scoreless draw in the derby on Wednesday. This time they face Aston Villa. The Red Devils remain the only unbeaten outfit after 12 matches.

Reserve team coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined Molde as their new manager this week.

Last season, Aston Villa shared the spoils with United at home, but then shocked them with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

Newcastle, having enjoyed every moment of their victory at Arsenal − the first at the Gunners’ den since December 2001 (3-1) − failed to continue with the good work and lost at home to Blackburn.

Today, Newcastle will line up against Fulham at St James Park.

Fulham, having gone down in the London derby to Chelsea, will do their utmost to find the surge to get them going once more.

Mark Hughes can sign Stephen Ireland in January since he has been unsettled at Aston Villa after leaving Manchester City.

Things are looking rosy at Anfield lately. Liverpool seem to have found their true form and the enthusiasm, so lacking in the early stages of the campaign, is also back.

Yet, the lethal finishing of Torres was mainly the answer why the Reds had struggled for pace. He was again on target on Wednesday as Liverpool drew 1-1 at Wigan.

This afternoon, Roy Hodgson’s side square up to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Buoyed by their home win over Birmingham, Tony Pulis’s Stoke will surely offer stiff resistance to their more illustrious opponents.

After the 0-0 draw in the derby, Manchester City host Birmingham at Eastlands with high hopes of finding their winning form.

Following the defeat to Stoke, Birmingham have now failed to win in their last four matches.

After the 4-2 rollicking at Bolton, Tottenham failed to stamp their authority against Sunderland and had to settle for a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane.

Today, Tottenham cross swords with Blackburn, again in North London. Those unfamiliar with the English game cannot be blamed if they ask how can Tottenham beat European champions Inter 3-1 and then fall flat on their faces against teams like Bolton and Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Wolves will be supported by a group of Maltese fans today when they play at Molineux against Bolton.

In the only four clashes between the two in the Premier League, the gold and blacks won only once – at home in December 2009 2-1.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League
Aston Villa-Man. Utd 13:45 - 2
Man. City-Birmingham - 1
Newcastle-Fulham - X
Stoke-Liverpool 18:30 - 2
Tottenham-Blackburn - 1
West Ham-Blackpool - 1
Wigan-West Brom - X
Wolves-Bolton - 1

Tomorrow:
Chelsea-Sunderland 17:10 - 1
Everton-Arsenal 15:00 - X

Standings: Chelsea 28; Man. United 24; Arsenal 23; Man. City 21; Newcastle 17; Bolton, Tottenham, Sunderland, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Brom 16; Everton, Blackburn 15; Blackpool 14; Fulham, Stoke 13; Birmingham 12; Wigan 11; Wolves 9; West Ham 8.

The Championship
Burnley-Watford - 1
Crystal Palace-Coventry - X
Ipswich-Barnsley - 1
Leeds United-Bristol City - 1
Leicester-Derby - 1
Millwall-Sheff. Utd - 1
N. Forest-QPR - X
Portsmouth-Doncaster - 1
Scunthorpe-Cardiff - 1
Reading-Norwich 18:20 - 2

Tomorrow:
Swansea-Middlesbrough 16:00 - 1