ARSENAL v BOLTON WANDERERS
Football : English Premier League
Saturday, September 11th 2010 - Start 3:00PM GMT

---

ARSENAL

Arsenal lie 2nd now, after coming back from the opening game draw with Liverpool to knock off Blackpool and Blackburn. 9 goals scored, and with Walcott back on form with 4 goals, and Persie once again fit, what could possibly go wro... oh, you've got to be kidding me.

Walcott injured in the England game, Persie with an ankle knock. All in all, an international break with repercussions not alien to the long suffering Arsenal supporter. Bendtner is still out, so the pressure is on new boy Chamakh to carry us into battle against the Wanderers.

The good news is Chamakh is off the mark, and has just the right amount of skill and confidence to get it done. This guy looks the type of guy who plays his best football when you dump the responsibility on him and keep him in the spotlight. It's a gut feeling.

Cesc Fabregas will be back, most probably as a starter and will captain us once again, and this will make it hard for Bolton, who are likely to slip over and break their necks, what with him leaving behind trails of his slimy Barseholona DNA. He might even net a goal, who knows! There is talk of Samir Nasri having a chance at being picked for this game, more on that closer to the day... but if it is so, bonus!

The defence looks the same, new boy Koscielny is back with Vermaelen, along with the newest signing, Sebastien Squillaci. Also, if Almunia keeps playing the way he is, my nerves might just make it through to January in one piece.

But seriously, this will be a physical battle, but it's going to be in our back yard, and this time we have a bunch of players that just don't look like they're happy to be pushed around and made to take sh*t of anyone. They're aggressive and will fight their way into dictating this game. We all know how that turns out, just ask Blackburn.

BOLTON WANDERERS

Bolton lie 5th, having drawn 2 games against Fulham and Birmingham either side of a win at West Ham United. The days when Bolton could bully Arsenal are long gone, as this is not Sam Allerdyce's team, and it's being played down in London.

For the record, Bolton have tasted, defeat on every one of their last 4 visits to the Emirates. They were actually ahead last year before going down 4-2.

Owen Coyle will have a headache on Saturday, as he will be without one of his best and most consistent players, Jussi Jaaskelainen. The long serving Finnish goalkeeper picked up a 3 match ban for his red card against Birmingham. Johan Elmander, I hear might be rested as the striker picked up a head injury while playing for Sweden.

Anyway, the side play better football under Coyle but he is smart enough not to try to play Arsenal at their own game in the Emirates. I reckon he will try and load the midfield to slow down Arsenal and give them less space to pass them to death. He'll fail.

BETTING VERDICT

Not the easiest of matches, as I think Arsenal will win by one in a tough match. Of course, there is just as much chance of Arsenal having "one of those days" where everyone gets in on the action, making the scoreline embarrasing.

Possible Scorelines of 2-1 or 4-1 with Cesc and Chamakh the ones to look out for.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Arsenal to win

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Arsenal @ 1.28 (Pinnacle) and include in all accumulators

Over 2.5 goals @ 1.55 (Pinnacle)