EPL Preview: Bolton - Arsenal

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

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 lineup, 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 defense, especially at the full back positions. Johan Djourou and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to fill in once again, while 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.

• Arsenal is on the back of a three-match losing streak in the Premier League, with defeats to Manchester United, Swansea City and Fulham. Bolton however has won its 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 hasn’t finished outside of the top four since the 1995/96 season when it finished in their present spot in the league.

• Bolton has 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.

Follow Goal.com on to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!