BPL Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Arsenal

24^th April 1630hrs GMT

Reebok Stadium

After seeing their dreams of playing in the FA Cup Final being brought to an abrupt haul by a dominant Stoke City side in the semi-finals, Bolton Wanderers would look to redeem themselves and get back to winning ways against an Arsenal side that seems like in a mood to throw away points time and again when they really matter.

Bolton, who had proved to be some kind of a bogey team for Arsenal under Sam Allardyce, will fancy their chances of taking all 3 points which would all but surely end the North London club’s title aspirations.

Arsenal, who slipped to 3^rd in the league table after the midweek round of games, would look to put recent disappointments behind them and build up on their impressive away-form which has seen them lose only two games away from home (one less than at home).

Arsenal have been unbeaten in the Premier League since the turn of the year and are currently on a 15-match run without a defeat. It’s an impressive run to boast of but when you consider that most of the games have ended in a stalemate (even the games which they were the favourites to win) then the significance of the run ends there.

Team News

Bolton

Owen Coyle is able to welcome Daniel Sturridge, who was cup-tied for the semi-final against Stoke City, back into the squad for the visit of the Gunners.

Sam Ricketts (Achilles), Stuart Holden and Sean Davis (both knee) remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal

For Arsenal, Abou Diaby would miss the match after suffering another injury, this time to his calf in the game against Tottenham Hotspur. Jack Wilshere might return to the squad to take Diaby’s place.

Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) and Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) are the usual long term absentees.

Possible starting XIs:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Alonso, Elmander, Muamba, Lee, Petrov, Sturridge, K Davies.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Walcott, Wilshere, Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie

Head to Head (Last 5 Matches)

?11 Sep 2010 Arsenal 4 – Bolton Wanderers 1

20 Jan 2010 Arsenal 4 – Bolton Wanderers 2

17 Jan 2010 Bolton Wanderers 0 – Arsenal 2

10 Jan 2009 Arsenal 1 – Bolton Wanderers 0

20 Sep 2008 Bolton Wanderers 1 – Arsenal 3

Even though Arsenal have dominated recent clashes between these two sides, victory again won’t be easy for The Gunners considering that Manager Owen Coyle has done extremely well since taking charge at the club. Striker Johan Elmander has seen himself rejuvenated under the new management and is finding the net on a regular basis recently. He will surely look to trouble the vulnerable Arsenal defence along with Kevin Davies and “in-form” on-loan Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge.

Players to Watch

Bolton: Daniel Sturridge

Can Sturridge Continue His Good Goal Scoring Form?

The on-loan Chelsea striker would be looking to do his parent club a huge favour by effectively ending Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title and delivering a huge sucker punch which would see Chelsea leapfrog the Gunners (in terms of points) if Chelsea mange to win their respective game. He has been in rich vein of form since his loan move to The Reebok and has scored 6times already in just 8games.

Arsenal: Robin van Persie

14goals in 18games: The stats speak for itself. Since his return from injury, he has been the driving force

RVP: Arsenal's Main Goal Scoring Threat

behind Arsenal’s title assault. RVP has averaged one goal every 94mins since the turn of the year. If Bolton are to get anything from this game, they have to stop the Dutchman from providing space in the box.

Prediction

Expecting another game of free-flowing attacking football similar to the midweek North London Derby would be criminal because Bolton would look to sit back and frustrate Arsenal and look to hit them with route one football. Expect plenty of crosses in the box from Bolton players as they will look to attack Arsenal’s vulnerability at the back. But I think Arsenal might come away unscathed from this one as they are enjoying their football at the moment especially away from home and are scoring freely too.

Bolton 1-3 Arsenal