Arsenal is coming into this match on a low due to three Premier League defeats while Bolton is coming into the match on a high.
The build-up to this match will perhaps primarily focus on Arsene Wenger following his poor substitution against Manchester United on Sunday. Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain had been the co-star of the Arsenal attack on Sunday. Wenger however took the player off at a time when Arsenal looked the side capable of scoring a winner.
The substitution caused great uproar in the stands as it did on the pitch. Robin Van Persie defied his coach’s decision and the cameras caught him ‘in the moment’. Van Persie spoke at length afterwards about his relationship with his coach. According to him, things were absolutely fine in the Arsenal ranks.
Arsenal fans booed Wenger, a coach who they have kept faith in for more than 15 years, last week. The motto at Arsenal happens to be ‘In Arsene we Trust’. Wenger went on to further anger them by defending his substitution. Chamberlain was supposedly ill during the week and thus Wenger made this call.
Arsene feels that his team has played well enough to win matches but has failed to win their last three matches. The supporters might not agree considering Arsenal lost the last three matches due to poor defensive errors and lack of concentration. Fulham, Swansea and United very worryingly scored the winners late in the match.
Mikel Arteta, Bacary Sagna and Thierry Henry are all expected to be part of the squad. Also, Kieran Gibbs starts training on Monday and might be included on the substitutes’ bench soon. Arsenal greatly misses the presence of Gervinho, who is away due to the African Cup of Nations. With his creativity, Arsenal had an extra ‘edge’ in attack which they are currently lacking.
Arsenal is pretty much out of the title race. While Wenger usually waits till the race is mathematically over, even he perhaps has to accept that a Champions League qualifying spot is the maximum they can achieve. Their current league form has been filled with wobbles. Let’s not forget that even prior to these defeats, Arsenal had already lost to City last year.
Bolton has emerged out of the relegation zone giving Owen Coyle much needed relief. The significance of Coyle to Bolton is almost the same as the significance of Arsene to Arsenal. Coyle also inspired his team to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool. While Bolton’s future is looking brighter, Arsenal’s is looking bleak.
Arsenal, based on their current form, might run into problems against a rejuvenated Bolton. Teams that are fighting for survival usually are filled with grit. These are teams that Arsenal has struggled against in the past. Arsenal’s matches against Stoke City, Hull City and Wigan in the past have proved this point.
There is no guarantee that Wenger’s side will win this match. Wenger must fix his defence if the team is to get back into the top four. Most importantly, in order to unite the players and supporters with his philosophy once more, he must ensure his team starts winning again.
Will Arsenal or Bolton win this one? Let me hear your thoughts.
The substitution caused great uproar in the stands as it did on the pitch. Robin Van Persie defied his coach’s decision and the cameras caught him ‘in the moment’. Van Persie spoke at length afterwards about his relationship with his coach. According to him, things were absolutely fine in the Arsenal ranks.
Arsenal fans booed Wenger, a coach who they have kept faith in for more than 15 years, last week. The motto at Arsenal happens to be ‘In Arsene we Trust’. Wenger went on to further anger them by defending his substitution. Chamberlain was supposedly ill during the week and thus Wenger made this call.
Arsene feels that his team has played well enough to win matches but has failed to win their last three matches. The supporters might not agree considering Arsenal lost the last three matches due to poor defensive errors and lack of concentration. Fulham, Swansea and United very worryingly scored the winners late in the match.
Mikel Arteta, Bacary Sagna and Thierry Henry are all expected to be part of the squad. Also, Kieran Gibbs starts training on Monday and might be included on the substitutes’ bench soon. Arsenal greatly misses the presence of Gervinho, who is away due to the African Cup of Nations. With his creativity, Arsenal had an extra ‘edge’ in attack which they are currently lacking.
Arsenal is pretty much out of the title race. While Wenger usually waits till the race is mathematically over, even he perhaps has to accept that a Champions League qualifying spot is the maximum they can achieve. Their current league form has been filled with wobbles. Let’s not forget that even prior to these defeats, Arsenal had already lost to City last year.
Bolton has emerged out of the relegation zone giving Owen Coyle much needed relief. The significance of Coyle to Bolton is almost the same as the significance of Arsene to Arsenal. Coyle also inspired his team to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool. While Bolton’s future is looking brighter, Arsenal’s is looking bleak.
Arsenal, based on their current form, might run into problems against a rejuvenated Bolton. Teams that are fighting for survival usually are filled with grit. These are teams that Arsenal has struggled against in the past. Arsenal’s matches against Stoke City, Hull City and Wigan in the past have proved this point.
There is no guarantee that Wenger’s side will win this match. Wenger must fix his defence if the team is to get back into the top four. Most importantly, in order to unite the players and supporters with his philosophy once more, he must ensure his team starts winning again.
Will Arsenal or Bolton win this one? Let me hear your thoughts.
