v
Bolton
Wanderers vs Arsenal
Sunday, 17
January 2010
Coyle: First game in charge
Owen Coyle takes
charge of Bolton for the first time as they host the first of
back-to-back Premier League encounters with Arsenal on
Sunday.
The Trotters finally confirmed the former Burnley boss as their
new manager last Friday, and his opening task couldn't come much
tougher with the visit of the Gunners.
The fixture, which will be shown live on Starhub channel 27, is
a prelude to Wednesday's immediate reverse encounter at Emirates
Stadium.
Arsenal missed a chance to close the gap on league-leaders
Chelsea last time out as they came from behind to snatch a point at
home to Everton.
Bolton, meanwhile, have not played since their FA Cup win over
Lincoln and are yet to play in the Premier League in 2010, with
their last game being the 2-2 draw with Hull City - Gary Megson's
final fixture in charge.
The Trotters have almost a full squad at their disposal, with
Danny Shittu the only fresh absentee as he participates in the
African Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
Coyle must do without Sean Davis, who could miss the rest of the
season with a knee injury, while Joey O'Brien is also absent with
knee trouble.
Otherwise, Coyle has a healthy look to his inherited squad and
is expected to name a 4-4-2 formation, and with no new signings as
Trotters boss he may be forced to name a familiar line-up.
Jussi Jaaskelainen will be present as ever, with in-form Gary
Cahill ahead of him, possibly partnered by Zat Knight.
Coyle has options on either flank at full-back but Sam Ricketts
can expect to get the nod, with Paul Robinson also a strong
contender for the left side.
Mathew Taylor will operate on the left of midfield with South
Korean Lee Chung-Yong a candidate to operate in an advanced role on
the right.
Tamir Cohen and youngster Fabrice Muamba should anchor the
centre of the field, with captain Kevin Davies set to be partnered
by in-form Ivan Klasnic.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must again work without African Cup
of Nations absentees Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song.
Captain Cesc Fabregas
returns to the Arsenal side for the match at Bolton following the
hamstring strain he suffered against Aston Villa two weeks
ago.
Denilson misses the trip to the Reebok stadium with an
abdominal muscle injury while striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin) is
still a fortnight away from full fitness.
Fullback Gael Clichy is available again and is set to
start from the bench, having recovered from his back injury, but
new signing Sol Campbell is not in the squad.
Wenger is able to name the same line-up which drew 2-2 with
Everton last week, but may consider drafting in goal-hero Tomas
Rosicky for youngster Aaron Ramsey, who he replaced against the
Toffees.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Robinson,
Cahill, Knight, Lee, Taylor, Cohen, Muamba, Klasnic, Davies.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Traore, Vermaelen,
Gallas, Rosicky, Nasri, Diaby, Denilson, Arshavin, Eduardo.