After the gallant display against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta has the chance to rotate the squad effectively, handing some starts to some of the fringe players that have haven’t seen game time. I made some predictions for the starting XI and I have a hunch that I’d be spot on with my calls.
The Bolton boss, Ian Evatt, has stated that that hewouldn’t try to adopt any alien tacticstonight, but the expectations are for Arsenal to get a handsome victory over the lower tier side. Many are expecting Arsenal to field a second string squad, but Arteta has indicated that he wants to go all the way in the competition this season.
“We want to win the game. We have to start with the first game. We have to understand what is the best team, the strongest team that we can put out to perform in the way that we need to to be better than Bolton and beat them.
“In terms of trophies, it’s a success only if you win it. How you measure success or associate that word, we can have a much deeper conversation. But we are here to win, we are here to win the big competitions and the ones people consider not that big. That’s our duty.”
The gaffer also confirmed that some youngsters, like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, could get opportunities,
“It’s a great opportunity for any player to show what they are bringing in the games who haven’t had the ability to play much yet, to transform what they’re doing in training to give us the right reason and perform on the pitch.”
Arsenal and Bolton Team News
To team news, Arsenal would be sweating over the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber that were substituted during the Manchester City game. There are no fresh injury concerns for Arsenal, with the regular absentees, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, still unavailable for selection. Bolton have a clean bill of health and will be in great spirits after their 5-2 drubbing of Reading last weekend.
Arsenal and Bolton Predicted Lineups
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Heaven, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Jorginho, Nwaneri; Sterling, G. Jesus, Martinelli
Bolton: Baxter; Johnston, Santos, Toal; Schon, Matete, Sheehan, Thomason, Cogley; Charles, Adeboyejo
Injury / Suspension Updates
Arsenal: Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf)
Bolton: None.
Form Guide
Arsenal Form
- Last Five Games: W D W D D
- Last Result: Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal (Haaland 9?, Stones 98? | Calafiori 22?, Gabriel 45′)
- Leading Goalscorer: Kai Havertz, Gabriel (2)
Bolton
- Last Five Games: W L W L W
- Last Result: Bolton 5-2 Reading (Sheehan 12′, Charles 21′, 34′, 45′, Dempsey 87′ | Elliot 41′, Smith 57′)4
- Leading Goalscorer: Dion Charles (5)
