Arsenal will look to avoid a fourth successive defeat in league play as they take on a Bolton side who has found their form in the month of January. Both sides are coming off victories in their F.A. Cup ties played over the weekend, and both will look to continue those winning ways.
The match takes place at the Reebok stadium which has been known to prove a difficult place for the Gunners to win. But so far this season it is Bolton who is having trouble picking up points at home, having only collected a total of 7 points from a possible 33.
Latest Team News
Arsenal: Sunday’s match saw some key Arsenal players make their return from injury. Mikel Arteta, Francis Coquelin, and Bacary Sagna all made their way back onto the pitch following spells on the sidelines. The return of Bacary Sagna will prove be the most important as it will finally provide stability at the right back position.
Jack Wilshere did suffer a setback on his road to recovery from the ankle injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Robin Van Persie will also not face any punishment from the FA for the elbow incident that involved himself and Bolton’s Carlos Cuellar. While there was never any serious indication that he would be charged, the verdict proves to be vital, as he will not be forced to miss any action.
Bolton: There are no new injuries to report for Bolton with the major absent still being American midfielder Stuart Holden.
They have however been very active in this month’s January transfer window. They completed the signing of New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream and are hoping he could help fill the void left by the departure of Gary Cahill. They have also made an offer for Crystal Palace’s Willfried Zaha and are believed to be interested in signing Arsenal’s Ryo Miyaichi on loan until the end of the season.
Tactics
It will be interesting to see which Arsenal side will show up. Will it be the side that was on the pitch during the first half of the game against Manchester United or will it be the side that scored three times in seven minutes against Aston Villa? At times this season it has appeared as though Arsenal have been playing at the level of their competition. While still strong sides, there is no reason for their far from impressive performances against teams in the lower half of the table. Arsenal needs to get on the score sheet early and often to avoid keeping their opponents in the game. Van Persie needs to get more help up front from Ramsey and needs more consistent play from Walcott.
Bolton will be oozing with confidence after consecutive victories at home, one of those being the impressive 3-1 result they achieved at the expense of Liverpool. Owen Coyle’s side will look to come out with the same pace that they did in that match and will look to set the tempo early. They will also look to be the more physical side and will hope to not let Arsenal get too comfortable with the ball.
Possible Line-ups
Arsenal: Sczcesny, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Coquelin, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxalde-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Van Persie
Bolton: Bogdan, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Steinsson, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Davies, Petrov, Eagles, Ngog
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