So, Arsenal has bagged a few points so far this season. Now they face a Bolton side that took it to Man Utd and almost nicked some points from Liverpool... I wonder if Ljungberg will be back? My guess is that he comes on as a sub if at all. Perhaps slotting in where Toure has been showing up recently. Expected lineup: ---Seaman--- Luzhny (Lauren)--Keown--Campbell--Cole Wiltord--Viera--Gilberto--Edu (Toure) ---Bergkamp--Henry--- I would expect Lauren and Edu to play if their injuries allow, if not then probably Luzhny and Toure to cover. Although I could also see Freddie in at left wing. Arsenal needs another 3 points here. Must maintain the belief and keep top the table!
The Arsenal America Prematch Thread: Arsenal v. Bolton Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers this Saturday. Sam Allardyce's club sit 14th in the table and have been playing excellent football of late, with wins over Villa and Manchester United. The Trotters are coming off a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Liverpool at the Reebok. Milan Baros (45th, 72nd) struck twice for Liverpool, but Bolton answered both times with Ricardo Gardner (54th) and Ivan Campo (87th) finding the range. Unfortunately, Emile Heskey banged home a late winner in the 88th minute to trump the Wanderers' fightback. Current injuries for Bolton include Michael Ricketts (knee) and Anthony Barness, who left on the half-hour mark on Saturday. Paul Warhurst missed the last match due to a groin strain, and Stig Tofting (foot) and Jay Jay Okocha (knee) have been longer term casualties. Okocha was expected to have been back over a week ago when the Trotters disposed of Man Utd at Old Trafford. Chris Armstrong is also close to match fitness.
For Arsenal, the biggest change of course, is the loss of Patrick Vieira to suspension. I expect Gilberto to act as the holding midfielder, and for Toure to get a start after he posted a goal and an assist in last night's reserve match. (Francis Jeffers also bagged a hat trick.)
Oops, forgot about the Viera suspension... I'm guessing that Wenger goes with a Brazilian duo in the middle (if they are both healthy enough). Of course, Toure may get the nod...
Neither Edu or Silva have impressed me thus far this season. Now Silva stays back as a Defending midfielder and gets lost in the shuffle but Edu seems not to move forward very well and spoils many counters. I prefer Toure as the times Ive seen him he has had boundless energy and even scored on the Chelsea goalline, so theres no doubt he can move forward.
I feel sorry for Edu as he is being asked to play wide and not in his natural centre mid role.He is one of our best passers as can be seen for the ball he played to Pat last Saturday which led to Wiltords goal.Silva is doing very well and when we signed him Arsene made it clear it was his defensive duties which we will require most.He works well with the other players and all of them say he is great to play with.I hope Edu is fit for Saturday and gets a start in the centre.
http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/020919/21/d9yso.html Bolton injury update... Ricketts, Whitlow and Barness still a doubt, looks like Djourkaeff will be available.
We certianly could get into the arguement as to whether you score a goal vindicates past performances but I did not see Charlton so I dont know how he played. I guage the comments on the previous matches I have seen.
Don't forget, this one's on Fox Sports World in the U.S. and Canada, same-day delay on Saturday (noon ET in the U.S., 12:30 p.m. ET in Canada). And for those of you unfortunate enough not to get FSW (cough, 442, cough), this game should show up on your local Fox Sports channel on Tuesday, unless it's Comcast Sportsnet in Philly.
http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0919/20020919bwfcgardner.html Ricardo Gardner out 6 weeks after a knee operation, but Michael Ricketts now expected to play.
So Andy, I assume you get FSW Espanol but not FSW? Is that just how your cable system is, or some option you've chosen on your satellite system, or what?
http://www.arsenal.com/sportsappcon...e&type=com.sportapps.news.NewsItem&id=3085659 Ray Parlour available for selection, but Edu "still short of fitness."
I think Edu has played very well, considering he's being asked to play wide, which is certainly not his strength. If you remember he played very well against Man U in the title clincher last year. He passes well, and he is very composed with the ball. Unfortunately, when Pires and van Bronckhorst return, his minutes may be shortened to almost nil. One thing Arsenal is is DEEP in the midfield when everyone is healthy. That brings up an interesting quandry in the off-season: Who gets sold? There's just not enough minutes for all those guys, and I'm sure they all feel they deserve a spot in the first 11. Van Bronckhorst sold, perhaps? I think that Viera, Ljundberg, and Pires would be as close to "untouchable" to the club as that can get.
I think you will see Kanu and Van Bronckhurst sold probably next summer although Gio can give us cover for Cole.The truth is Edu would have been let go last summer if it wasn't for the fact that he played so well in the title run where his ability on the ball was crucial.Ray Parlour may also be a possible sale depending if Toure and Pennant actually do make the grade.My choice for the midfield would be Patrick,Freddie,Gilberto,and Bob with backup provided by the following Edu,Pennant,and Toure,Wiltord.There are also players like Upson and Stepanovs who may not be there for another season.For the first tiime in a long while we have the best squad in England in terms of talent and depth and Wenger has to try and keep them all happy like Liverpool in the 80's and more recently like Ferguson has done.This is not going to be easy but we do need strength in depth.
Kevin Nolan heads a list of players facing fitness tests for Bolton, although Jay Jay Okocha is now expected to return to action. http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/020920/21/da1aj.html
One thing I think we're overlooking in our rush to figure out lineups is whether or not Freddie Ljungberg has reached the point in his fitness to play 2 games in 4 games. Don't be surprised if he's on the substitutes' bench. I would imagine Lauren returns at right back as well.