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Played
February 1, 2012 8:00 PM GMT
Reebok Stadium — Bolton
Referee:‬ C. Foy‎
Attendance:‬ 24371‎
 

Bolton - Arsenal Preview: Gunners have won nine of the last 10 Premier League matches with the Trotters

Both outfits saw Cup success at the weekend, but are in contrasting form in the league, with the hosts winning their last two and the visitors failing to win in their last three

By Sam Bisby

EPL: Arsene Wenger, Manchester City v Arsenal
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PROBABLE LINEUPS
BOLTON

Bogdan
Steinsson, Wheater, Knight, Robinson
Eagles, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov
Ngog, K Davies
ARSENAL

Szczesny
Djourou, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen
Ramsey, Song, Arteta
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Van Persie, Walcott
Owen Coyle’s first choice goalkeeper Jussi Jasskelainen remains doubtful for the clash with the Gunners and should be expected to be replaced once more by Adam Bogdan who has done a decent job since being called up.

Ricardo Gardner still looks like a week or two away from fitness and isn't thought to be under consideration for the game. With the odd player rested at the weekend for the Trotters’ FA Cup victory over Swansea City, a few names could be recalled to the starting line-up, including Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson, Paul Robinson and captain Kevin Davies - who has been heavily linked with a deadline day move to Sunderland.

January signing Tim Ream joined the Bolton ranks in the week from American side New York Red Bulls and could make his debut appearance for the Lancashire outfit.

Wednesday’s visitors to the Reebok Stadium continue to have problems at the back and will be forced to send out a make-shift defence, especially at the full-back positions. Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to fill in once again, whilst the pairing in the middle of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny should continue.

Bacary Sagna did make a cameo appearance in the dying moments of the Gunners’ Cup win over Aston Villa on Sunday, but shouldn’t expect to see much first-team action over the next couple of games and may come on once more late in the fixture.


DID YOU KNOW?
  • Arsenal are on the back of a three-match losing streak in the Premier League, with defeats to Manchester United, Swansea City and Fulham. Bolton however have won their last three in all competitions.
  • The Trotters were the victors in this fixture last season thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge and match winner Tamir Cohen. The win was Bolton’s first over Arsenal since November 2006.
  • These two haven’t drawn a game in the league since February 2006.
  • Goal machine Robin van Persie (pictured right) has 19 netted efforts this season, but has 11 more to grab before he matches club legend Thierry Henry's record of 30 in one campaign.
  • Currently in fifth position, the north London side haven’t finished outside of the top four since the 1995/96 season when they finished in their present spot in the league.
  • Bolton have conceded the most goals at home (25) than any other side.
  • A late goal could easily be on the cards as there has been at least one scored in the last 15 minutes of each of the past nine league meetings between these two outfits.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 Feb 2012 Bolton Wanderers 0 - Arsenal FC 0
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Carling Cup ‎(CCUP)‎ 25 Oct 2011 Arsenal FC 2 - Bolton Wanderers 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 24 Sep 2011 Arsenal FC 3 - Bolton Wanderers 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 24 Apr 2011 Bolton Wanderers 2 - Arsenal FC 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 11 Sep 2010 Arsenal FC 4 - Bolton Wanderers 1
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Last Five Matches
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1Adam BogdanGoalkeeper
2Gretar SteinssonDefender
12Zat KnightDefender
18Sam RickettsDefender
31David WheaterDefender
6Fabrice MuambaMidfielder
7Chris EaglesMidfielder
10Martin PetrovMidfielder
16Mark DaviesMidfielder
19Nigel Reo-CokerMidfielder
24David NgogStriker
22Jussi JaaskelainenGoalkeeper
25Dedryk BoyataDefender
39Joe RileyDefender
21Darren PratleyMidfielder
9Tuncay ŞanlıStriker
14Kevin DaviesStriker
17Ivan KlasnicStriker
13Wojciech SzczesnyGoalkeeper
3Bacary SagnaDefender
4Per MertesackerDefender
5Thomas VermaelenDefender
6Laurent KoscielnyDefender
8Mikel ArtetaMidfielder
15Alex Oxlade-ChamberlainStriker
16Aaron RamseyMidfielder
17Alex SongMidfielder
10Robin van PersieStriker
14Theo WalcottStriker
21Lukasz FabianskiGoalkeeper
7Tomas RosickyMidfielder
10Andrey ArshavinMidfielder
30Yossi BenayounMidfielder
35Francis CoquelinMidfielder
9Chu-Young ParkStriker
14Thierry HenryStriker
Players to Watch
Chris Eagles
Chris Eagles
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 7
Games Goals YC RC
34 4 1 0

The winger’s heroics in Saturday’s FA Cup defeat of Swansea should see the former Burnley man keep his place and be a dangerous asset for the hosts against the tough visiting opponents.

A good player to have on the counter, Eagles will no doubt race down his flank and supply the likes of David Ngog and Kevin Davies to try and prolong the Gunners’ miserable run.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 15
Games Goals YC RC
16 2 0 0

After impressing in his so far short-spell in the first-tem, the young attacker is set to continue his place in the senior side and help the ailing London side in getting back to top form.

The former Southampton hot property is slowly beginning to grow into the Arsenal team and can become a great source for frontman Van Persie with his sharp agility and storming pace into the danger zones, supplying chances and creating his own.

Prediction
Owen Coyle's side have hit a rare hot streak, but with Arsenal buoyed by their FA Cup comeback victory over Aston Villa and still with the bit between their teeth due to a run of three Premier League losses on the trot, I expect Arsene Wenger's men to grab all three points at the Reebok.
Editor's Prediction
Bolton 1
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Arsenal
30 2
Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney
Striker
Manchester United
27 6
Kun Agüero Kun Agüero
Striker
Manchester City
23 3
Aiyegbeni Yakubu Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker
Blackburn
17 4
Emmanuel Adebayor Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker
Tottenham
17 3