Bolton vs Arsenal: Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Arsenal get back to Premier League action tonight with a trip to the Reebok to face Bolton and it’s important we end a run of three consecutive league defeats. 

With Liverpool and Tottenham winning, and Chelsea getting a lucky late equaliser, a win is vital for the Gunners to stay in the hunt for fourth spot. We currently lie in sixth place, six points off fourth-placed Chelsea and an embarrassing thirteen off Spurs, so we have to close the gap.

Its not going to be easy at the Reebok, as we know all to well, and Bolton have found some form lately beating both Liverpool and Everton in recent weeks.

Team News

Arsene Wenger gave his usual injury update to Arsenal.com ahead of the game and the great news is that Bacary Sagna is also back, but Wenger has suggested that he may be a bit short to start tonight. Johan Djourou is available again after recovering from a calf strain, but i would like to see Coquelin continue at right back. Djourou has been a disaster at full back and Coquelin has looked far more comfortable there.

Both Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry are available after recovering from knocks. The pair came on for the final minutes of Saturday’s FA Cup tie but i would expect Arteta to start tonight with Henry on the bench.

Kieran Gibbs is back in full training after missing the last three months through injury but wont be involved against Bolton. Long-term injury concerns Carl Jenkinson, Andre Santos, Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere remain out, while Gervinho and Marouanne Chamakh are still at the African Cup of Nations.

New Bolton signings Tim Ream and Marvin Sordell won’t be involved tonight, while loan signing Ryo Miyaichi is also unavailable to play against his parent club.

Jussi Jaaskelainen should return in place of Bogdan. It will be nice to play Bolton without their battering ram Kevin Davies, with the burly striker out of favour under Owen Coyle.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Bolton have lost eight of their eleven home games this season, conceding 25 goals in the process. Arsenal’s away form is also shocking with six defeats in eleven games and only Wigan have conceded more away goals in the league.

However, the Gunners do also have the second highest goals scored ratio away from home, so the stats suggest we should expect a high scoring game tonight. But i’m going for a narrow 2-1 win for The Arsenal. Bolton always seem to turn up against us but we should have enough to get the result.

Let me know your thought on the game in the comments section below….