ARSENAL v BOLTON WANDERERS
Premier League
Wednesday, January 20th
Kick off 19.45. The Emirates.
By Joe Finegan
Quite bizarrely, Arsenal and Bolton meet in the league for the second time in four days on Wednesday night. Arsenal won Sunday’s fixture 2-0, a game in which influential captain Cesc Fabregas was phenomenal.
Indeed, Arsenal are showing true championship-winning form at present. They are strong all over the pitch. Gallas and Vermaelen are a tower of strength at the back, the midfield is overrun with talent, in Rosicky and Arshavin they have two of the most creative flair players in the Premier League, and Eduardo is relishing his run in the side due to Van Persie’s injury. Perhaps Arsenal’s weak point is in goal, but that’s a topic for discussion elsewhere.
Super-fast slick passing moves in the final third of the pitch on Sunday was the undoing of Bolton. Arsenal are really playing gorgeous football at the moment. New Bolton manager Owen Coyle will have learned a lot about his team on Sunday and it will be interesting to see if he keeps faith with the same starting XI.
Arsenal haven’t lost in the league since Chelsea won 3-0 at The Emirates in November – nine games ago. They’ve scored 19 goals in their last eight games, a ratio nearing 2.5 goals per game. Bolton will have learned a lot from Sunday’s lesson, but expect Arsenal to keep that winning streak and free-scoring attitude flowing on Wednesday night.
TEAM NEWS
Bolton have no fresh injury worries following Sunday’s match.
Arsenal will have to manage without Walcott, Gibbs, Van Persie, Bendtner and Djourou. It is hoped that Denilson and Wilshere will be available for selection on Wednesday night.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Bolton haven’t won a league game at Arsenal since 1962. However, they did win there in 1994 in an FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. For the record, Alan Smith scored for the Gunners while McAteer, McGinley and Walker put Bolton through after extra time. There have been 27 goals in the last nine meetings between these two sides in all competitions, Arsenal winning all bar one win for Bolton and one draw. Pretty one-sided statistics there.
VERDICT
Everything points to a home win in this game and the odds on Arsenal (1.22) reflect this. To find the value in this game, you must look deep and look hard. On the basis that Arsenal will win, the game will contain three goals or more, and Arsenal will probably keep a clean sheet, a correct score punt on 3-0 to the Gunners looks about right.
At skinnier odds, have a look at Arsenal winning both halves.
RECOMMENDED
Arsenal to win 3-0 8.2 (BETFAIR)
Arsenal to win both halves 2.2 (BETFAIR)
***Please bet responsibly. Only bet with money that you can afford to lose — not your food kitty or rent/mortgage***
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