Bolton take a sizeable contingent down to North London in our perennial quest to locate that Indian Sign we used to have over them. Fraternity in Adversity as I have found myself saying quite a lot over the past couple of days.
Vital Quotes:
‘He was only 17 when he went there and he has come back with more experience and more power. He has grown physically and is stronger. But Bolton did not teach him to play football. He was already a very gifted player when he went there.’ Mr Vinegar and his backhanded compliments re Little Jack. Or just a backhand.
‘It`s been a while since we beat one of the big boys, so with two or three of the fixtures we`ve got coming up, it would be nice to have a stab.’ No Arsenal fans, Super Kevin Davies does not mean stab as in the literal sense.
‘Oh…his elbows…his elbows!’ Every Arsenal site (bar one) talks about SuperKev’s arms like they are a weapon of mass destruction, which didn’t exist either.
‘I believe we are a better team than we were then, so we`ll go there with confidence looking to make a real game of it. You want to play against the best teams in the best arenas, and the Emirates affords you that chance.’ St Owen just loves everybody and everything.
Arsenal Team News:
Arsenal have a mini crisis when it comes to injuries, but then again they always do and usually blame it on over robust tackling. Walcott, Van Percy and, just yesterday, Vermaelen have been put out since the last domestic game. This means that Arsenal have just the thirty two world class players to choose from. And Almunia.
Player to watch: Manuel Almunia
The Arse’s failure to buy themselves a goalkeeper over the summer has led to Almunia’s retention of the number one jersey. If Bolton are to revert to ‘type’ then Almunia will find himself in trouble. Arsenal fans will then complain, like it’s the opposition’s fault to target the keepers weaknesses.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
After starting the first three games with the same line up, Jussi’s suspension means a change in net, with Ádám Bogdán coming in for his first start. Otherwise there are no worries with the first choice line up.
Player to watch: Ádám Bogdán
There is a small possibility that Bolton will pen Arsenal in their own half, meaning that Bogdán can lean on his post like he did against Birmingham.
No? OK, Arsenal’s predeliction of walking the ball into the net may mean that he doesn’t get to see a lot of it. But, and I’m not trying to tell Mr Vinegar his job here, it may be worthwhile going for a few long shots to test the untested keeper. Just a suggestion mind.
Match Facts & Stats
Bolton have not had a piece of Arsenal since a 3-1 win at The Reebok in November 2006, Abdi Faye and Nicolas Anelka twice, scoring.
Aahhh memories.
What’s that you ask? When did Bolton last win at Arsenal? Well, that was the 3-1 FA Cup Replay victory in 1994. I’m sure I have that on VHS somewhere. For the kids out there, that is what we used to record TV programmes on.
Bolton have won just seven times at any incarnation of an Arsenal home ground. Sir Nat is our top scorer in the fixture with twelve goals.
Ref Watch:
Attwell? Again? Already? We only had him against Fulham.
Mr Attwell got card happy in his last game, brandishing twelve yellows in the well known grudge match, Wolves v Newcastle.
Match Prediction:
Bolton to win 2-0. That kind of forward thinking will get you 160-1 on Betfair my friend.
Next Fixtures:
Villa are next in another away game next Saturday.