Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Brice Coffer 
Date:Friday January 9 2009
Time: 3:30AM
UK time is: 12:25:50
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Arsenal vs. Bolton
Emirates Stadium
10/1/09
15:00
Arsenal v. Bolton
After a two week break from Premier League football, Bolton visit the Grove on Saturday to take on a once again injury stricken Arsenal. Usually the majority of our injuries are concentrated on the attacking side of the ball, but now centre back is our gaping whole, which could prove costly as Bolton always look to tests our centre backs aerial prowess.
Vital Quotes:
On the injury note, Wenger explained.
n the plus side, Denilson (back) and Kolo Toure (groin) will return after missing the 3-1 win against the Devon side through injury.
"Kolo and Denilson will be back available," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "However unfortunately we have lost William Gallas with a hamstring problem.
"We lost Silvestre too with a thigh problem last week as well. So we have lost two players from the game on Saturday but we have gained two back.
"I think Gallas and Silvestre will be out for three weeks."
He took the time this week to praise our young Welshman. 'He's just 18 and (Jack) Wilshere is just 17. The Premier League is (the) Premier League and you need to be a man in this league.
'He can play in some games. But if you're asking me if he can play every week, every three days, I don't think he's ready yet. But he shows that he has the quality, that he can do it soon.
'I really think he will be a great player.'
Arsenal Team News:
As said before, Gallas and Silvestre will be out, which will see Kolo and Djourou start in the centre of defense. Eduardo,
Adebayor has been named African Player of the Year, but he was in Dubai of all places on Thursday. Will he be back in North London, fully ready to play by Saturday? I have concerns.
Song might be back, but Fabregas, Walcott, Rosicky, and Eduardo are also all still out.
Possible Starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Nasri, Diaby, Eboue, Adebayor, van Persie
Player to watch: Kolo Toure
We all know Bolton's tactics and there is really need to discuss that, but what is a concern to me is how we will deal with these tactics. If Toure can't play like he wants to stay at this club, then we could be in trouble.
Bolton Team News:
Cahill, Cohen, O'Brien are scheduled to make their return, but Vaz Tez will not play a part.
Player to watch: Matthew Taylor
Matty has been a pain in our side for years now, from his two goals for Portsmouth at the Emirates to his first half heroics at the Reebok last year. We will see if the dynamic defensive duo of Eboue and Sagna to try and shut down Taylor
Match Facts & Stats
Home and away
League (inc PL): Arsenal 46 wins, Bolton 34, Draws 31
Prem: Arsenal 10 wins, Bolton 4, Draws 5
at Arsenal only
League (inc PL): 32 wins, Bolton 7, Draws 16
Prem: Arsenal 6 wins, Bolton 0, Draws 3
Ref Watch:
Chris Foy will be the head official, and he has managed fourteen matches handing out one red and fifty-two yellows, giving him a 3.79 card per game average.
Match Prediction:
I think we have almost recovered from Cesc's injury, with Samir Nasri at CM. I think he will continue his rich vein of form and lead Arsenal to a 3-1 victory. van Persie, Adebayor, and Nasri to score.
Next Fixtures:
17/1 (Sat)- Hull City(A)- Premier League
25/1 (Sun)- Cardiff (A)- FA Cup
28/1 (Wed)- Everton (A)- Premier League
Your Comments
If Song is healthy I think we should go ahead and play him because we seem to defend route one football better with him and Djourou in the side. If Den and Eboue turn in efficient performances, we should be able to handle this opponent at home.
TPowell
you will beat these......a decent win...probably about 3 - 0
lincolnblue
From Gallas and Sylvestre injured we will now use Toure........
From the frying pan into the fire me thinks! lol
LondonGooner
It is difficult to calculate when they will come back,” the manager told Arsenal TV Online.
“Walcott will be March or maybe the end of February. He will be the quickest one because he has started to run already. It is easier to plan after shoulder surgery than anything else.” I was under the impression he was making super speedy recovery and back for the end of january. I guess not, making our need for signings even more of a must. If Nasri were to pick up even a 3 week injury we would be in the preverbial sh**
paul_ownz
proverbial*
paul_ownz
"From the frying pan into the fire me thinks! lol" -- so true, LG, so true! I'm back from a long vacation during the holidays where I've been offline most of the time, and away from Arsenal discussions online. Happy new year to everyone at VitalArsenal, I've been catching up on all the articles and threads I missed. Anyway, to LG's comment: while I love Kolo as much as the next gooner, I feel less confident about him this season than Gallas. We've won more games with Gallas than without him this season. And I don't think we can afford to lose Gallas (nor Kolo) since he's one of the few experienced players who's won trophie--a commodity we don't have too much of in this team. Nor do I think Gallas is really injured. Still, I want to see Kolo re-gain his form and he (like Gallas) does pair up well with Djourou. I think the game tomorrow will be tougher than we expect but I think we can do it 2-0.
jaelle
*trophies
jaelle
this is usually the time where robin van persie gets injured
Arsenal_1_Best
happy new year everyone. this is goin to be a tough game and I will be happy wit a 1 NIL or 2-1 victory. Very astute observation A1B,with the way our season is goin I wont be surprised if it happens.
D'arsassin
Spot on Jaelle - Gallas makes a mistake, gets crucified, Toure or Dourou do the same thing, they are favourites and it is passed over. Fact is Gallas has had some awesome games this season and some poor ones, but he has scored 5 goals and won us some important games. He is a winner plain and simple and even if he has a big mouth everything he has said has been spot on and Clichy, Almunia and Adebayor have since confirmed and agreed with everything he has said. Toure has been fat, unfit and out of form yet has received half the criticism that Gallas has.... Welcome back fella!
LondonGooner
Arsene has confirmed Kolo as our vice-captain so he'll lead the team against Bolton. Hehe if he could be, like RvP, deliver an awesome performance wearing the armband, Arsene really needs to give it to Kolo NOW..! :P http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/jan/10/arsenal-kolo-toure-arsene-wenger
GoonerLou
Man that midfield looks so mediocre. What happened to the good old rosicky csec hleb flamini days?
thenry009
What a great chance for Djourou to show we dont need to buy a centre back who is dominant in the air. If he can handle that w@nker davies he can handle anyone. Will be interesting to see how we play formation wise, I see us starting 4-4-2 but Nasri switching with RVP and Ade at points during the game to make it more a 4-3-3.
iceman10
I still don't class Djourou as a dominant defender and I am also very unsure about Toure, but we should win this game. Any team with Kevin Nolan in is total crap.
Tom14
bring back Senderos.
Armory
I haven't watched a football game in so long. I work at a photo studio, and Christmas time is the busiest time of the year, it's been crazy as usual, and I've missed a lot of football. I didn't realise I like it this much, and I didn't realize I like Arsenal this much, but I've missed seeing that red and white thing they wear. I just wanna see it, even if it's won by Silvestre, I'll enjoy seeing it.
Gaga
I got the lineup right, seems like Nasri will play creative centre mid.
gunnerkid107
Wrong there, Nasri is lining up on the left again with Diaby and Denilson in the center.
gunnerkid107
If we had Arshavin Nasri would be in the middle with Andrei on the left.
Tom14
i stil feel we wil get d goals to win d match
gunnerchi
BTW happy new year guys
gunnerchi
We have to win here. If we don't we will have to start worrying about finishing above Everton, as well as Aston Villa!
ArsenalRob
bendtner!!
gunnerchi
PHEW!!! 1-0 to the Arse-a-nal seems to have returned to North London!!
Rocky7
Happy New Yewar Chi! PHEW, credit to Bendtner who kept running and beat the defender there. And great ball from Clichy to RvP!
GoonerLou
hey there lou! we need diaby to reconsider his career
gunnerchi
Yayyyayyayayayyayy!! (I didn't dare celebrate until the last second of the 93rd minute. And my heart still tended to skip a beat when we had to defend set-pieces.) My MotM is again Robin. :D
GoonerLou
I was actually quite impressed with most of the players, especially denilson in that holding role. Nasri is clearly the player to take Cesc's role, but we need someone who can play out wide to take his place (Arshavin). I felt Diaby was really slowing up our midfield, and that was confirmed when we started playing better when he came off. For me personally, if a player hasn't performed well by the age of 22 or 23 then they should be let go. I'm afraid Diaby is now in that category for me.
TPowell
How BADLY do we need a winger! For god sake! The sooner we sign Arshavin the better! Also, this would free up Nasri to play alongside Denilson.
Tom14
MOTM = Nasri. Rocky, do you want a player rating of me or is LD doing one? Id be happy to do it, I would evenm make it a bit more in depth. The thoughts of Tom14 go part the regular insight, I am deep.
Tom14
its a tie btween nasri and rvp
gunnerchi
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