Arsenal’s Most Important Game of the Season

Arsenal v BoltonArsenal v Bolton Preview

Arsenal have received a big boost ahead of Saturday’s  English Premier League game against Bolton with the news that Tomas Rosicky will return to their squad after recovering from the virus which forced him out of the game against Newcastle. This is a major bonus for Arsenal and, if he is fit, we should hopefully see him slot into the right side of midfield for the out-of-form Alexander Hleb. This is also coupled with the fact that there are no new injuries for Arsene Wenger to worry about going into this crucial game.

Rosicky is back against Bolton - Hallelujah!Two of Arsenal’s most important players, stand-in captain Gilberto Silva and midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas have spoken in length about the unbelieveable importance of the game against Bolton. Gilberto stated that the match against Bolton will decide which team grabs the fourth Champions League place. It might be worth pointing out that these are particularly strong words from a normally quiet man. If that is what Gilberto thinks then it is a good indication that this might just be true – fingers crossed about the result then!

Fabregas also mentioned his disbelief at failing to score so far this season in the English Premier League:

“If you look at the chances I’ve had this season it’s unbelievable to think I haven’t scored a goal yet. I’ve hit the post I don’t know how many times, the keeper has made a great save or it’s me who is just with the net in front of me and I don’t score. I have to be patient and to be relaxed in front of goal. I think the goals will come.”

Will Fabregas score against Bolton? I think so!After such a confident statement, what odds on Fabregas bagging one at Bolton to win the game? At least these sorts of statements indicate that the Arsenal camp seems to have a firm grip on the importance of this one. Let’s just hope they can get the result on the park!

I spoke earlier this week about the starting line-up and tactics that I though Arsene Wenger should employ against Bolton and, whilst I think they would work, I have a sinking feeling that Wenger will continue with a similar line-up to the one at Newcastle, but with Rosicky replacing the ineffectual Hleb – again, fingers crossed!

Probable Arsenal Line-Up (4-5-1; L-R): Lehmann – Eboue, Gallas, Toure, Clichy – Rosicky, Gilberto, Fabregas, Diaby, Ljungberg – Adebayor.

Prediction: 1-0 Arsenal. I really think we can win this one. If Gilberto & Diaby both play, I think we have the height and power to snuff out Bolton’s attack, leaving space for the likes of Ljungberg, Rosicky and most importantly, Fabregas to assist Adebayor. With that in mind – and taking into account his earlier comments – I can see Fabregas breaking his duck and sneaking a goal. In fact, I’m going to put $5 on it! Either way – it’s going to be an absolute cracker of a match.

As you can probably already tell, I’m very, very excited about this one. Come on Arsenal!

Loading...

Comments

  1. It is slightly amazing that Fabregas hasn’t managed to score. If you compare the goals of other prominent scoring midfielders in the Premier League – eg. Lampard and Gerrard – this season, you can’t really say that Fabregas’s attempts have been of much less quality – usually it has been the bounce of the ball of the woodwork, and the skill/luck of the keeper, that has kept his shots out. I suppose it just proves that there is a luck element in scoring goals from long-range. (though it seems many teams have that luck against us – Portsmouth’s Taylor has scored some scorching goals this season, as well as Anelka’s recent goal against Arsenal).

  2. Well, looks like you were right. Fabregas was fabulous. Still, Arsenal missed about 1000 scorable chances – I can’t believe Adebayor didn’t score…yet again, I swear he has kicked it straight into the keeper 3 or 4 times this season. Hleb had a pretty ordinary game – but Fabregas, Rosicky and Clichy were all standouts!

  3. That’s a pretty good summary Darragh. Arsenal performed very well against Bolton and got the points that they deserved. More importantly – we’re pretty much guaranteed fourth spot and are now looking at nipping third again!

    Fabregas was amazing – just a shame that the betting company I made my little bet with only do “First Goalscorer” so although I was right – I didn’t get the money! Still happy with little Fab though. Will post a match report and some video footage soon.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.