EPL Match Day 4: Arsenal v Bolton, Match Preview

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Ladies and gentlemen we now return you to our regularly scheduled football proceedings. Thank goodness the injurelull is over (that’s not my term but I love it.) After two weeks of excruciating boredom and pain, Arsenal FC take to the pitch again to mount a continued assault on Silveware Hill.  And boy is it a big hill to climb.

Coming to the Emirates this weekend are Owen Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers. Bolton are much improved side under Coyle. Like Wenger, Coyle espouses a free flowing attacking style of football and he is slowly trying to bring that to his new club. His approach has paid off evidently as the new look Wanderers are undefeated having drawn 2 and winning emphatically against West Ham.

Bolton will be under some serious pressure to win at the Emirates as they have not won a match away to Arsenal since 1962.  Given their newfound style though, they could be good enough to pip a point if Arsenal aren’t diligent. Attacking Swede Johan Elmander leads the attack for the squad and is their lead scorer. However, he does tend to be a bit inconsistent in his form and was replaced by Kevin Davies who got the equalizer against Birmingham last match day.

Either of those scorers will have a hard time as it has been 8 hours and 1o minutes since Burnley’s David Nugent last put a goal in the net at the Emirates. That is a run of 8 matches at home without conceding a goal. For a team that is supposed to be weak at the back that is pretty impressive by anyone’s standards.

But what would any Arsenal season be without injuries. And keeping at least on thing consistent to form the Gunners come into the match losing two strikers and a defence man. Thomas Vermaelen is out for one match with a slight ankle injury. That is until the Gunners medical staff get a hold of him – so stay tuned on that one. Far more disturbing is the injuries to Walcott and Van Persie. Walcott rolled his ankle in the recent England Switzerland match up. Form the initial look at it we should feel lucky its 4-6 weeks and not a season. It didn’t look good when it happened.  As for Van Persie, the injury he sustained in the first half of the Blackburn match went from being a slight injury to one keeping him out for 6 weeks. Both players are set for an October 15 return (or thereabouts).

On some level you have to feel sorry for everyone involved. Wenger must be scratching his head and wondering if he needs to bring in a shaman to break the injury jinx at the club. Van Persie and Walcott came in with the mental preparedness that had you hoping they were going to achieve great things. Van Persie a slow starter never got to the gear we know he can get to, though he should some flashes. Walcott was simply on fire. Now both face a challenge to regain that frame of mind and get over the injury and do something for the remainder of the season.

The attack though isn’t likely to suffer – much. When you have Arshavin, Rosicky, Fabregas, Nasri, Wilshere and new boy Chamakh you do still have a lot of options.  The key though I think will be everyone’s focus on our defence. With the injury to Vermaelen, recently signed Sebastien Squillacci gets the call to start. With his inclusion in the lineup the entire back four will be french. That could be a first in the EPL. It will be very interesting to see how he reacts to his first game without a proven pro next to him. Remember his partner only has 2 games of EPL experience so this could be interesting. I suspect that Song could sit back and provide added cover for the pair.

And finally, with the transfer window firmly shut, Manuel Almunia gets at least until January to prove he belongs as the club’s number one. He needs to come out and play with the same verve and emphasis that he did against Blackburn. The Manuel Almunia of that match was the same one that challenged mad Jens for his spot. When he plays like that he is good. Maybe not on the level of Van der Saar, Cech, or Hart but on the next rung. Then again the Manuel Almunia of last season, is a few rungs further down. How he reacts remain to be seen. The eternal optimist in mehopes he understands what’s at stake and decides to take the challenge and do something with it. Again, that remains to be seen because he can also shrivel up like a shrinking violet.

Either way, with everything going on this match looks to present some unique situations for our club.

How the Match Should Play Out:
Even with Bolton much improved and our widening array of injuries, I still think we present too much for Bolton. I think there is even a stronger case for a pressing Arsenal attack if Bolton try to play a flowing game. Next to Barcelona, Arsenal play this game in that style as well as anyone most teams choose not to play them in that style for fear of being shredded. This could likely be the case for this match. Look for a strong attack and look for Cesc Fabregas to assert his continued ascension to stardom.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal: There are too many to watch in this game. Let’s go with new kid on the block Sebastien Squillaci. With the injury to Vermaelen, he gets the nod and makes his awaited EPL debut.

Bolton: With Jussi Jaaskelainen sitting because of a suspension, Bolton turn to Adam Bogdan gets his first EPL match start. So its a new guy watch week.

Probable Starting XI:
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Vermaelen (achilles) Walcott (ankle) Van Persie (ankle) Ramsey (ankle) Bendtner (groin) Frimpong (knee)

Bolton: Klasnic (thigh) Davis (knee) Jaaskelainen (suspended)

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 4
Bolton: 2

Current Form:
Arsenal: DWW

Bolton: DWD

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Walcott 4 (4 league) Arshavin 2 (2 League)

Bolton: Elmander  2 (2 league)

Match Officials:
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Assistant Referees: Martin Yerby & Phil Sharp
Fourth Official: Fred Graham

Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 10:00 AM EST

UK: ?????

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YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 2

Bolton: 1

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