Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers: Arsenal set to re-enter the title race

After Arsenal were ripped apart at the Emirates by leaders Chelsea in November everyone ruled out the Gunners as title challengers. However, victory tonight will see Arsene Wenger’s men climb above the champions Manchester United into second place and to just one point behind Chelsea at the summit. It just goes to show you should never write off the Arsenal.

But Wenger will not be getting ahead of himself as he knows his troops must do the business against Bolton, who hope to announce the arrival of Owen Coyle as manager before kick-off, here tonight before they can start to dream of landing their first piece of silverware in five years.

Over the past decade Bolton Wanderers have been a real thorn in the side of Arsene Wenger. The Trotters don’t exactly make life easy for the Gunners and their style of play has left the Frenchman fuming on numerous occasions. Their in-your-face and physical approach goes against everything that Wenger stands for but it gets Bolton results and with the Lancashire side currently residing in the bottom three you can guarantee they will head to the Emirates looking to frustrate the Londoners once again.

Arsenal have had the upper hand in recent clashes, winning their past six league and cup meetings. Bolton’s last win at Arsenal came in that famous FA Cup replay in 1994 thanks to goals from McAteer, McGinlay and Walker, but you have to go back to 1962 for their last league win against the Gunners. Will they stun the football world by thwarting Arsenal’s title hopes tonight?

According to Sir Alex Ferguson, the title race is a two-horse affair between leaders Chelsea and the champions Manchester United. An Arsenal victory here will see the title race thrown wide open.

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 7:45pm 06 Jan 2010

Prediction Panel

Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Chris Cox : 3 - 0
Graham Enwright : 4 - 1
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 3 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC
Peter Lee : 3 - 0
Don McMahon : 3 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 3 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 0
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 0
Andy Wakeman : 3 - 0
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict

The Panel firmly expects the Gunners to be right in the title race by the end of the night.

Home: 16; Draw: 0; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!