Arsenal vs Lazio Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Unai Emery is just one game away from his first Premier League match as Arsenal manager, and the Spaniard has big boots to fill following the departure of Wenger. Lazio provide the opposition at the Friends Arena in Sweden, with the Italian looking to build upon their fifth place finish in Serie A last season.

The Gunners pre-season has gone well considering their long term manager was eventually replaced, with an 8-0 win over Boreham Wood being followed by a penalty shoot-out defeat against Atletico Madrid. A 5-1 victory for Emery over his previous employers PSG gave Arsenal fans great hope, and it was followed up by a penalty shoot-out win over Premier League rivals Chelsea.

No major transfer fees have been received as of yet by the Gunners, with Cazorla and Wilshere leaving on the free transfer and World Cup winning centre back Per Mertesacker retiring from the game. Lucas Torreira and Bernd Leno have both been brought in for over £20m each, while Greek centre back Sokratis, Lorient midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi, and Swiss national team captain Lichtsteiner have also joined the London club.

Expectations are going to be high following the departure of Wenger, with the Gunners faithful wanting to see their side challenge for titles in the near future and wont be content with simply qualifying for Europe.

Lazio have played just two friendlies so far, both ending in comfortable 3-0 victories, but neither opponent were anywhere near the class of Arsenal.

The Serie A club have been busy buying and selling players this summer with Joaquín Correa, Francesco Acerbi, Valon Berisha, Riza Durmisi, and Mattia Sprocati all arriving with fees attached. Veteran Goalkeeper Proto and Croatian international Bedelj have been signed on free transfers.

Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson is the only player to leave Lazio for a fee, but they will be happy with their business as West Ham United forked out over £33m for the 25-year old. Goalkeeper Marchetti, centre back de Vrij, and Serbian forward Djordjevic all left on free transfers.

We’re confident that Arsenal will have too much for Lazio this weekend and will win this friendly, and we’re backing over 2.5 goals being scored. Three of the Gunners last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals and four of their last six have ended in victory. All of Lazio’s last four games have produced at least three goals, but just two of them ended in victory for the Serie A club. In terms of a final score, we’re backing Arsenal to claim a comfortable 3-1 win in Sweden.