Have you heard the old addage, “what you don’t know can’t hurt you”? In the case of Bolton, I believe the saying doesn’t apply. What we don’t know is precisely what will hurt us. Why are Bolton 3rd in the table….I don’t know. Why did they nearly beat ManUtd……I don’t know. Why do they spend so little and get so much…..I don’t know. All these add up to what could be a diificult match for the Gunners.
I believe the difference is in Sam Allardyce. He has been on the hot seat, when Bolton finished ever close to relegation, but he has perservered. He spends 750k in the off season for Gary Speed and compiles a group of “freebies” that give him instant results. Not a lot of managers can do this. So what is it that he does that so many can’t? I don’t know!
What I do know is that this Bolton appears to enjoy the game and enjoys playing it with the team on the pitch. They also seem to enjoy the opportunity to play a quality opponent. The quality of play increases even in the days of 17th place. This enjoyment on the pitch translates into hard work and a gritty no nonsense approach.
Speaking of grit, I must mention Ivan Campo. The guy was at the end of his career, suffering from mental problems. His spell with Bolton has helped them both as he is the anchor in the defense and even explores forward into the 18. Thank goodness he’s cut his hair.
Diouf has made a move into the midfield from Liverpool. He was more active in the match against ManU, than in the whole of last season. He showed a lot of quickness on and off the ball. It was hard to nail down his permanent position as he moved all over the pitch.
Okocha remains an important piece in the success of Bolton. He is very dangerous around goal and has a superb, strong shot. He may be paired with the aging, but still dangerous Les Ferdinand. He scored the winner against ManU, only to have ManU squeek in a tieing goal.
One difference I have noticed is the style of play. Usually Bolton put 10 players behind the ball looking for the 0-0 draw. Instead they move forward in times other than a counter, even if the game is tied. A little more aggressive than in the past, it may have to do with the confidence the players have in playing together. They don’t, however, possess the ball for any great length or impress with one touch passing. The play is mostly, as I said before, grit, hard work and an enjoyment for football.
The Gunners are still the better team, best in the league and best in the world. Bolton has caused problems for the Gunners as their level of play is always up to the competition. This is a good chance to send a message that Bolton may be 3rd in the league but the Gunners sit atop!
ArseAm Predicts: Got a bad vibe here. First a week off with National teams, throw in a subpar performance, at home, in the CL and I think Arsenal have lost a little momentum. Also, Arsenal are due for one of those games where they hit the post three times and have another cleared off the line. Arsenal win this one, but close, 2-1. Possible draw if Boltom keeper plays out of his mind.
15 Responses to “Bolton Wanderers”
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September 17th, 2004 at 1:34 pm
Good question. I dunno either but you’re right about aggression - that definitely comes into the equation. What I most hate about Bolton games is the corpses all over the pitch. Remember a couple of seasons ago when we got two players injured - do you reckon Fergie paid them to do it? - and it probably cost us the title? Even little, feeble, inoffensive teams get injuries playing Bolton, so God knows what’s in store for us. They’ll be up for, for ending our record, that’s for sure. However, I’ve just put JJ in my dream team - this normally ensures a player has a very bad game - so here’s hoping.
September 17th, 2004 at 1:46 pm
I can’t wait for KICKOFF!!
I don’t really see the streak ending here…
I hope Bolton probes forward… I hope every team does, because its a recipe for disaster against the mighty Arsenal Football Club!!!
Bolton has some good players… gotta like Okacha…. I like Kevin Nolan as well… they are good, we are great… lets hope our league form continues for a LOOOOOOOONG time… or at least until match #50 against United.
I think we are gonna score 3 or 4 again!
why wouldn’t I… we’re the Arsenal!
September 17th, 2004 at 1:50 pm
It’ll be fast and furious, I reckon, lots of goals as Bolton’s defence is leaky but very attacking - I like N’Goty and Nicky Hunt has great pace. I suppose you could same the same of our defence at present, with Sol still not playing and Edu probably coming in for Gilberto.
September 17th, 2004 at 2:10 pm
Arsenal to win by 2 clear goals or loss by one goal either way it will be a good match to watch.
Do you work for Lambeth council Mr KYGunner? The guys at work were talking about the same sh#t about S. Allardyce. He is the best in the business and the best Englishman left. Guys you can agree with me or not butread the article in the SL press why they called him the big Sam
September 17th, 2004 at 2:15 pm
WE DON’T LOSE Love-G!!!
September 17th, 2004 at 2:16 pm
What a treasured and peculiar postion we’re in as supporters of The Arsenal. We watch them dominate with both youth and vet for five games running, netting 19 goals, and generally waking up the rest of the entire world. We go into Europe and squeak out a one-nil draw and pundits have been spotting the Reaper already in the North Bank. We’re wise to respect any and all, but none of them have uttered a word about the four games in ten days, still without Sol, a petulant Freddie and an on-form Captain.
Allardyce, Mourinhho, The Guardian?they all think they’ve seen our achilles, and yet we’ve won 7 in a row and are out to tie Newcastle’s record for best start in the Premiership. But we’ll do more than that come the final whistle on Saturday. We’ll be challenging them all to come up with something new to try and steal our confidence.
As always, the only story here besides a decisive win is the old “10 men behind the ball tactics” and the question of our mental strength. Once again, AFC vs. AFC. There’s nothing else to report but the numbers after that, which, naturally, look Gunneriffic. At this point is academic: show them respect, fellas, and do your thing.
The Arsenal silence critics (as they love to do) 4-1. Brace for an Henry in no mood for idle chit-chat, and Reyes continues the streak. The fourth to be fought over between Bobby and Freddie.
Am I being too optimistic? Maybe. But why not? We’ve got to do something as supporters of the unbeaten champions to balance the death knells.
September 17th, 2004 at 2:35 pm
bolton are third because still unbeaten tottenham failed to knock off a particularly tenacious norwich side. poor redknapp and defoe were agonizingly close, but is was ledley king who saved the point by denying huckerby. as far as the manU match, it is no great surprise that the red devils are struggling and bolton deserved to win that match. however, manU’s form right now has them situated right where they deserve to be.. mid-table. i think sam allardyce has done a superb job bringing his squad up the ranks in the last few campaigns, and a number of players are rising to the occasion for him. ( most notably, okocha, who failed to score in a single prem fixture last season.) i am wary of the wanderers, as they always seem to play above themselves against the gunners. however, our form to begin the season has been second to none, and i think we are a very cohesive unit.. a well oiled machine if you will. i like our chances to extend this record run for some time, and i look forward to prospective number 50 against manU
September 17th, 2004 at 2:37 pm
Stag like you I want us to win and win time big . I will never leave home at 10 going to Highbury thinking we going to loss but have to honest anything can happen in football
September 17th, 2004 at 3:48 pm
Very True…. anything is possible in this wonderful sport of football. I just don’t even remember us losing!!! it was so long ago…
Bolton? naaaaaah…
September 17th, 2004 at 3:57 pm
Just read on Arsenal.com that Wenger has decided van Persie’s position is to be in midfield. Where? On the right, hopefully, not the centre, where, God knows, we’re crowded with talent already. Is he left or right-footed? Anyone know?
September 17th, 2004 at 5:28 pm
Also quite interested to find out whether Rio Ferdiand’s return really can SAVE Man Utd… I still don’t believe one man makes such a big difference. We didn’t have Sol until now, and didn’t have Vieira until lately, that didn’t seem to trouble us. Just look at Walter Samuel at Real Madrid.. sure he’s world class, but has he made any difference so far?
Having lived under Man U’s shadow for so long, Liverpool have to realize there is no better time to beat Man Utd than NOW. I wish it were us who’s taking on Man Utd next..
September 17th, 2004 at 5:37 pm
I think Rio can definitely make a big impact on ManU defensively. It might not happen overnight… but within a few weeks they will be more solid at the back. We will also be more solid at the back with Sol taking over for Cygan. Its pretty simple in my opinion… One man can make a HUGE difference. Take HENRY for example… can/does that one man make a difference. YES!
September 17th, 2004 at 6:07 pm
True about Henry. But Rio is nowhere near Henry’s class. The only man i can say United can’t play without is Van Diver, as much as i hate him.
September 18th, 2004 at 3:37 am
Yeah I see this one being rough. Bolton’s been a rough team in recent years. And it seems like half the time they have to prove to the conspiracy theorists “THIS is why we stayed up top and West Ham got demoted.”
I think 2-1 sounds just about right, actually.
— Geoff
September 18th, 2004 at 6:20 am
“I have decided to play him central,” said Wenger. “I think that is where his best position will be.
meaning central forward