Preview: Bolton v. Arsenal

Arsenal begin the first of two consecutive league games against Bolton tomorrow when the Wanderers host the Gunners in the final kickoff of the weekend.

In the event of a light dusting of snow, the match will be postponed, but this is only because Bolton are a bunch of Northern softies.

Wenger had this to say on his returning captain: 'Cesc is a player who is an exceptional talent. But part of the exceptional talent is that he is never happy with what he is delivering.'

'There is a lot more to come from him, because these players always get better. When he does something you feel straightway he analyses 'ah, I did that wrong' and the next time the right answer comes. That is how the big players improve, that means there is a lot to come from him.'

'Today he is stronger defensively than three years ago. He is stronger in his runs, he is stronger in his long passing and his left-foot is better. But he can still be better in the air. He can score goals in the air because once you get into the box at the right moment you can score as well with headers. With his left foot and his heading, there is a lot more to come from him. '

Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien out with knee injuries, while Danny Shittu is in Angola for the African Cup of Nations. Other than that, Owen Coyle has full squad to pick from.

Possible Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Robinson, Cahill, Knight, Lee, Taylor, Cohen, Muamba, Klasnic, Davies.

I've seen a handful of good goals from this guy, and he scored a peach in the FA Cup recently. I could see him being up for the big game.

'We've got Cesc Fabregas... We've got Cesc Fabregas'

That's right. The best player in the Premier League this season will return to the Arsenal lineup for this first time since his unbelievable two goal, 28 minute cameo against Aston Villa.

Gael Clichy also could return to the starting eleven, but he might be just short. He'll be on the bench for sure though. Ramsey and Denilson are both likely to miss the trip north.

Predicted Starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Rosicky, Fabregas, Eduardo, Nasri, Arshavin

It's easy to get frustrated sometimes with Andrey, but he should be free of criticism while Arsene is playing him as the spearhead of the front three. Usually he gets very little support, but with the return of Cesc, I imagine our Russian will have a break out match. Those two were brilliant during the Burnley game before Fabregas had to come off.

Phil Dowd will be the head official.

Bolton will be re-energized thanks to their new manager, but I believe Fabregas, Rosicky, Diaby, and Arshavin will be too much for home side. 3-1 to the Arsenal.

20/1 (Wed) - Bolton (h) - Premier League

24/1 (Sun) - Stoke (a) - FA Cup

27/1 (Wed) - Villa (a) - Premier League

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