Arsenal now find themselves a position where every game is proving important and needs maximum preparation. Arsenal and Bolton go head to head at the Emirates Stadium in a fixture where both teams have the chance of relegating the opponent at the basement on the league table.
There are lots of similarities between the two sides and with just a point separating them. Gunners is the highest goal conceding side in the league with 14 goals in five matches with the Wanderers coming right behind them with 13 goals, way back in 1937 was the last time this fixture witnessed a barren draw. A proof that we are up for another goal fest at the Emirates Stadium today.
ARSENAL FC
Arsenal are going through difficulties right now and are under great pressure. The Gunners sit 17th in the table and any slip up will take them to the bottom of the league. Gunners captain, Robin Van Persie, has urged his teammates that it’s high time they start chalking up the points.
Arsenal hope to follow up a good win in mid-week in the Carling Cup, coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 in a match where all the notable players were rested. Everyone should be freshened up for this game. They lack confidence and composure, a victory against Bolton will do their confidence a world of good.
Bacary Sagna is declared fit for this match, he picked up a knock and limped off in the game against Blackburn Rovers, which was the turning point, and helped Blackburn gain a 4-3 victory. Sagna who has proven to be one of the best right backs in the league will boost the Arsenal defence. Injured trio of Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere are still out and mid-week hero Yossi Benayoun has also joined them on the treatment table, and he will be out for a week or so.
Arsenal have everything to play for in this fixture and they must up their game to dispatch the wounded Wanderers.
BOLTON WANDERERS
Bolton have earned just three points out of a possible 15, swimming in the relegation zone. Bolton are suffering from a poor defence, despite holding onto their England international skipper Gary Cahill. Not many could have expected Bolton to lose to a newly promoted Norwich side at the Reebok Stadium, but it shows how depleted they are.
The Carling Cup 2-0 victory over Aston Villa away from home, must have done their confidence the power of good. They will go out and play a physical game to Arsenal, and target their ariel weaknesses which is a constant problem for the Arsenal’s defence and Bolton is aware of that fact.
The two reverse fixtures last season witnessed eight goals, Arsenal won 4-1 at home and Bolton won 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium. Three of Bolton’s four goals last season came from aerial balls, so Bolton must stop Arsenal from playing their usual free flowing football if they are really in for business at the Emirates Stadium, keep the ball in the air and be ready to capitalize on their opponent aerial ball weakness.
PREDICTED LINE UP:
ARSENAL: Szcezsny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos; Song, Ramsey, Arteta; Gervinho, Walcott, Van Persie.
BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen; Robinson Knight Cahill Boyata; Eagle Muamba Reo-Coker Petrov; Tuncay Davies
GAME VERDICT:
It has been 74 years since the last time, Arsenal vs Bolton ended in a 0-0 draw. Gunners have got enough fire power in their Arsenal to persecute this match, and definitely will be too strong for Bolton to contend with.
Match Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Bolton
Written by www.o-posts.net
