Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers,
Barclays Premier League,
The Emirates Stadium,
Saturday 10 January, 2009, 3pm Kick-Off.

Bolton travel to North London looking to register their first victory at the Emirates Stadium since it was opened in July 2006.

In their previous three visits - two in the league and one in the FA Cup - the best result that the Wanderers have managed to attain is a 1-1 draw in January 2007. Indeed the history books reveal that Bolton's last top-flight victory away to Arsenal stretches back 47 years.

The challenge in wait is made even more difficult considering Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six outings, with their last defeat coming against Manchester City at the end of November.

However there are positive omens that Bolton can take into the game, none more so than the fact that the referee the clash is Chris Foy. The Whites have won twice in games that the St Helens-based official has refereed in this season, both convincingly against Stoke City and Sunderland.

The highest position that Bolton can reach come 5pm on Saturday is ninth, but should they be condemned to defeat and other results go against them, then Gary Megson could find his team in 16^th spot.

The game also signifies a return to his former club for Fabrice Muamba.The midfielder made two appearances for Arsenal at the beginning of his professional career in 2005.

Team News
Gary Megson will be forced to make at least two changes from the defeat at Sunderland last week with influential captain Kevin Nolan and tough-tackling defender Gretar Steinsson suspended.

Gary Cahill may return after sitting out the last two games with a hip and rib injury, whilst Adam Bogdan is set to keep his place on the substitutes' bench with Ali Al Habsi away on international duty with Oman. Gavin McCann returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension at the Stadium of Light.

Arsene Wenger is set be without William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre who have picked up hamstring and thigh injuries respectively.

Cesc Fabregas is a long-term casualty but Kolo Toure is expected to return to the Arsenal starting line-up.

Opposition Manager - Arsene Wenger



Arsene Wenger, 58, arrived at Arsenal in September 1996 to replace the deposed former Bolton Wanderers manager Bruce Rioch. Now in his twelfth year with Arsenal - only Sir Alex Ferguson has served a Premier League club for longer - Wenger is a hugely respected figure within the game and his meticulous approach and tactical acumen have been instrumental in the Gunners' consistent challenge for honours.

Wenger's tenure at Highbury follows similarly successful managerial stints in the French and Japanese domestic leagues. The Frenchman has a degree in economics from Strasbourg University and speaks five languages.

The studious Gunners chief has ensured that his side's speed and fluency have become their greatest strengths and their most dangerous weapons. That is Wenger's gift to English football and their 49-match unbeaten run in the Premiership between 2003 and 2004 was a truly remarkable achievement. Wenger is now the most successful Arsenal manager in history, having won seven major honours for the club.

Wenger's efficient housekeeping, not to mention his shrewd eye for talent, have characterised his managerial reign and with the young talent being nurtured at the club, there is every reason to believe the Gunners will maintain their challenge for honours for the foreseeable future.

Opposition Key Player - Samir Nasri



The French international joined Arsenal in the summer of last year from Marseille and has settled into life with the Gunners very comfortably.

Recruited for a fee of £12.7m, the 21-year-old has netted four times this season, most notably against Manchester United when his crisp strike helped to ensure a 2-1 victory for his team.

Nasri possess a wealth of talent with his skills often compared to the legendary playmaker Zinedine Zidane. Whilst he has a long way to go before he can even dream of emulating the mercurial genius, he is making decent progress on the international scene, where he has made 14 appearances for the senior French national team.

Betting
To get all the best odds for the game, visit our official betting partner Bet2Go.

Wanderers are best priced at 9/1 to take all three points with a draw available at 7/2. For the pessimists out there who think Arsenal will win the match, they can find odds of 2/5.

Johan Elmander is best priced at 9/1 to net the opening goal of the game, whilst Bolton are 33/1 to come away with a 2-1 win.

Click here for more information and hundreds more of superb odds.

Listen Live
If you can't make it to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, you can listen to live uninterrupted commentary on Wanderers World with the club's new official commentator Phil Gittins. The broadcast starts at 2.30pm.