Gael Clichy is fit again and looking good in training so Wenger will make the decision to hold him back a little longer or throw him straight into the thick of the action

Arsene Wenger will be preparing his side for the first instalment of a two part series. Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers will be sick of seeing each other by the middle of next week. Arsene may well be travelling up to Lancashire with a slight uncertainty about what type of side his players will be facing.

Bolton known as a very direct and physical side under previous management, now have a manager who likes the game played the right way. Owen Coyle worked his magic on Burnley and I have plenty of time for the side he has left behind, he will also need plenty of time teaching his players what exactly the grass is used for during 90 minutes. That of course is some Sunday morning bad humour Bolton fans. Although appearing at the wrong end of the table, Bolton Wanderers still have some players who can cause Arsenal problems if we allow them to.

Matt Taylor has good delivery on his left foot and is more than capable of testing Manuel Almunia from range. Croatian forward Ivan Klasnic who is currently on loan has been one of the few positives that Bolton can take from this season, 6 goals in his last 10 games means that he is a player that the Arsenal side cannot take lightly. They have come off the back of a 4-0 victory against Lincoln in the FA Cup so along with new manager syndrome, their collective tails could be up.

With both Manchester United and Chelsea both picking up maximum points in yesterdays game, the pressure falls back onto the shoulders of the Arsenal players to keep the pace, the Gunners should have no fear of achieving that feat, as they are unbeaten against Bolton in the last 7 games. Bolton last beat Arsenal back in November 2006 which should but most probably will not put the Arsenal do not like playing up north myth to bed.

Wenger has mixed injury news. Cesc Fabregas will almost certainly return to the starting line up and that alone will lift the team. Gael Clichy is fit again and looking good in training so Wenger will make the decision to hold him back a little longer or throw him straight into the thick of the action. Armand Traore did not have his best game for Arsenal last weekend, but prior to that game he hasn’t put a foot wrong so I would expect Arsene to give him another chance.

On a negative note, we have other midfield worries. Alex Song is away for his national side, Denilson and Ramsey are not available due to injury which means that Wenger has to find an answer to the defensive midfield position, someone who will be the most disciplined in the heart of the midfield. Realistically Wenger has two options. Either he sticks with his primary players and asks them to adapt their game or he calls in for a youngster who has done well, when given the chance. Diaby would be the most likely to put the brakes on whilst allowing Cesc to get into goal scoring and creative positions alongside either Tomas Rosicky or Samir Nasri.

Craig Eastmond will be on standby if Arsene feels he is ready to take the step up. Personally I believe that Arsene will choose the first option.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

We have scored three goals in our last three trips to the Reebok, who am I to ignore statistics like that. I originally planned to write two goal scorers but my fingers continued typing. The truth is, any victory is the most important, if we can do it in style with plenty of goals then that is a great added bonus but if you were to offer me a 1-0 to the Arsenal score line then I would be aware of your hand because you know what is coming.

If we can guarantee, hard work, a good tempo and focus then I am more than confident that the boys can come away with three points today.

UPDATE: I have just read on another site that Samir Nasri has also picked up an injury which leaves us somewhat short. Carlos Vela could be drafted in to play in one of the wide positions, unless Arsene is willing to move Arshavin back to a wider area with either Vela or Eduardo being deployed in the central forward position.