Match Preview: Arsenal v Bolton; Premier League Match Day 23
Seasons are defined by moments. In the Invincible season it was defined by Van Nistlerooy’s penalty kick miss. Last season it was the 4-4 draw against Newcastle. Matches, better yet moments in matches have the ability to transform a season in one direction or another. After a dismal first half against Aston Villa in the weekend FA Cup tie, the Gunners staged the kind of performance we had hoped to see in any one of the 3 recent league losses. The thing is, was that turnaround just a blip or was it a moment that could turn the season around. We’ll get the chance to find out as Arsenal travel to Bolton.
The way Arsenal played in the second half was how we had hoped Arsenal would play on a regular basis. It was so emphatic. It was gutsy and full of emphasis and style. After seeing it you had to have asked yourself, if they were able to do that performance then – why oh why can’t they do that on a regular basis.
Aston Villa really had no chance in the second half. They were clearly overrun by wave after wave of attack. And as it’s been said many times before, if you are in the box with the ball at your feet working to make things happen they will happen. And boy did they happen.
I don’t know who said what and when in the dressing room at the Emirates. I think it was a combination of van Persie and Henry (did you see the sideline hug). Whoever it is needs to do the same thing BEFORE the match kicks off tomorrow. They need to bring that focus of purpose to the pitch for this game. Anything less than a 110% effort is going to raise pulses and eyebrows yet again.
The fight for top 4 is still on. Chelsea dropped points in a draw to Swansea. Liverpool crushed Wolves. With those results Arsenal sit in sixth 1 point off ‘Pool and six off Chelsea. Anything other than a win is unacceptable. Especially with 8 losses already this season. There is still a lot to play for but Arsenal are not leaving themselves much room for error. And top 4 is still very doable. It is almost as if none of the 3 clubs vying for that spot want to emphatically seal the deal. Next to Arsenal, Chelsea are just as lacklustre. Liverpool are inconsistent at best – though their recent form has been good. With matches against Bolton and Sunderland after this one, there is all to play for. The month will be capped off by a tie at home against Spurs. It would be good for Arsenal to be going into that tie with a boat load of momentum.
Bolton present a team that we’ve beaten twice already this season. Once in the league and once in the Carling Cup. They’ve improved a little and pulled themselves out of the relegation zone by thumping Liverpool 3-1. That was without perennial Arsenal target and now Chelsea bench warmer Gary Cahill in the lineup. So there is a team there to be wary of. Arsenal can ill afford to take the laxidasial approach they’ve taken to some of their most recent matches.
Still, Bolton are an opportune opponent. They don’t defend real well and let in over 2 goals per game at home. Arsenal for their ill form net at least 2 per game on road. The problem for Arsenal will be locking down the opponent so they don’t allow any to go in. On the road unfortunately for Arsenal they’ve been averaging 2.3 goals allowed per game. The good thing for Arsenal is that their defence is getting healthy at the right moment. The best right back in the league – Bacary Sagna is back in the fold and while he is more likely to start vs Blackburn on Saturday having in the squad may help in a game like this where we have a lead and need to defensively shut it down. Kieran Gibbs is also back but is unlikely to feature in the squad this week and could be on the bench on Saturday.
Regardless, though, whomever is on the pitch, needs to put in a yeoman effort. With the transfer window now closed and no activity of merit, a loss or a draw will only make matters worse than they are right now. Arsene Wenger’s ‘obituary’ was just about finished after the first half on Sunday. The boss has found himself (some would say rightly so) on the negative side of a lot of criticism of late. As have some of the players. If they want to stave that off, they need to carry the momentum of Sunday into this match.
How the match should play out:
I honestly don’t know with this one. It all depends on which version of Arsenal gets off the bus. If the Gunners of the second half of Sunday get off the bus not many teams will be able to stand that. If the team of the last 3 1/2 matches get off the bus. Oh no. For my part I am betting on the former.
Players to watch:
Arsenal: Lauren Koscielny. Next to Robin Van Persie, he has been by far the best player this season. He is also now the best tackler in the Premier League with a 93% success rate. And let’s not forget his offensive abilities as well.
Bolton. Kevin Davies. Best player in that team hands down. Or at least I think so.
Projected Lineups
Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Santos (ankle) Jenkinson (back) Diaby (hamstring) Wilshere (ankle)
Bolton: Alonso (foot) Gardner (hip) Lee (leg) Holden (knee) Davis (knee)
Leading Scorers:
Arsenal: Van Persie 19
Bolton: Klasnic 7
Last Meeting (Carling Cup):
Arsenal: 2
Bolton: 1
Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 2.0
Bolton (home): 1.3
Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 2.3
Bolton: (home): 2.3
Last Five:
Arsenal: LLLWD
Bolton: WLWLD
Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 6
Bolton: -19
Match Official:
Referee: Chris Foy (11 matches 35Y 2R)
Broadcast Information:
US: FSC 1500 AM EST
UK: ?????? 1800 GMT
GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!
www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat
YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3
Bolton: 1
The Final Word
You may have noticed a lack of any focus on the January transfer window in the last few days, especially on the last day. No it wasn’t an oversight. It is because I felt that in the last few days it became clear Arsenal were not going to do anything substantial to improve the club. Why waste the time speculating for deals that aren’t going to happen.
Sure we signed a 19 year old attacking midfielder from Borussia Dortmund. Not the one that we had been linked to since last summer but one that has penchant for injuries and hasn’t played a lick of first team football. I know you need to keep the youth teams stocked up but with a team so in need of help up front and in the middle NOW, buying for the future is a little frustrating. You know Thomas Eisfeld could turn out to be the German version of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But he could also wind up being the German version of Denilson or Amaury Bischoff. The fact is he brings nothing to club to help them secure that coveted Champion’s League spot we’ve been told is the absolutely minimum for this club.
What made matters worse was yesterday Ivan Gazidis telling us all that Arsenal don’t buy stars they make them. What Ivan seemed to leave out of that statement was – then we sell them to either Barcelona or Manchester City. I don’t know who sounds more stupid lately, Wenger or him. We all know I have never been a fan of Gazidis.I just don’t fathom how you can go from being the deputy commissioner of the MLS to running what was at the time of the top 5 positions in European football.
In fairness there wasn’t a lot of action in January. None of the clubs staged a major shocker unless you count Everton selling Louis Saha to Spurs a shocker. I think Everton got the better part of that deal. It does look like the current economic environment as well as the recent UEFA financial meeting may have had an impact on the wheelings and dealings of January. Who knows but it was surely one of the least active windows I can remember.
So all the transfer speculation will die down for a few days and then everyone will start the long journey to June when we will do it all over again but in a longer time frame. For my part, I wish they’d opt of an June through March window. That way you can replenish if you needed to. It may also have the added benefit of controlling prices as demand wouldn’t be so high. Why end it in March, just so you can’t go get a Tevez like player for that last month. Lock the teams in for the final stretch and let the chips fall where they may.
That’s it for now. Until next time . . . stay goonerish!!!
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