By Richard Clarke
It is hard to remember three such strenuous tests of Arsenal’s character in the space of just eight days.
Having produced two-goal comebacks against their traditional title rivals, Manchester United, and their traditional local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsène Wenger will be hoping there will be no such heroics necessary for the visit of their traditional bogey team on Sunday.
Arsenal have won just two of their last 10 games against Bolton Wanderers. They lost the Premiership match at the Reebok Stadium on November 25 and were knocked out of the FA Cup in a Fourth Round tie at the same venue last season.
On Sunday it will be exactly a year since that defeat. And Wenger wants this Fourth Round clash to show the extent to which his young side have grown up — mentally and physically.
“Bolton are always a good character test,” he smiled at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “But they are a good side aswell. People sometimes forget that.
“OK they might have minimal resources but they have Nicolas Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf. They are not minimal resources players for me. This team can play.
“You can not say that Gary Speed is not a football player. Nor Ivan Campo or Kevin Nolan. They are good football players. Chelsea wanted Tal Ben Haim. It is not just because he can kick the ball, it is because he is a good defender. That is why they are a team who get results.”
Wenger has six players injured: William Gallas (thigh), Alex Hleb (hamstring), Robin Van Persie (foot), Emmanuel Eboue (ankle), Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) and Johan Djourou (hamstring). In addition, Gilberto will be seeing out the final game of his suspension.
The Arsenal manager has already stated that his FA Cup side this year would be similar to his Premiership side. That means few of the ‘Carling Cup kids’ will be used. Ironically the only one of the squad players employed at Tottenham certain to retain his place is Manuel Almunia. The 29-year-old was the oldest Arsenal player on show at White Hart Lane. However Thierry Henry is likely to be involved.
“Well I have 14 players available in the next two games so the choice is quite reduced,” said Wenger. “But the advantage is I have no decision to make. I think Thierry will play but Jens is out just to rest him.”
If anyone is likely to bring Arsenal down with a bump it is Bolton. Understandably they have revelled in the success their grit and guts has achieved over Wenger’s guile and style. However the manager believes his side now possesses much greater substance these days.
“I have felt we have not had the best of games when we go up there to Bolton,” remarked the manager. “Saying that we were a bit unlucky this year, Anelka scored two sensational goals and we had the best part of the game.
“Maybe one or two years ago we were not ready to face this type of opponent. But we are now. I feel the team has improved a lot on that side recently.”
Sitting the Bolton examination on Sunday will tell us just how much..
Arsenal.com
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