Bolton Preview: ‘The game in hand’ 5 January, 2010

For the majority of the season, or indeed since we have seen ourselves as title contenders we have been talking about this ‘game in hand’. When I look at the table and see our position I always remember we have this extra match and without really thinking I’ll add three points to our total in my head and see where we stand. I bet you all do it; it’s part of the luxury of having a game in hand.

No one else is playing this mid-week so we will be level on 20 games played with Man United and Chelsea. It’s so important that we win this game because it will throw us right into the mix. Say we beat Bolton, the table will read: 1st Chelsea – 45pts, 2nd Arsenal 44pts and 3rd Man United – 43pts. Heading right into that run of games the title race will be neck and neck.

However it’s easy to just think 1 game in hand = 3 points, it’s far from that. Bolton are never an easy side to beat, despite being 18th. They could have an added boost too of having a newly appointed manager in Owen Coyle, that move looks like it’s on the verge of happening. So they will be up for this game and don’t forget this is a game in hand for them too. Win this and they’ll jump ahead of their rivals at the bottom. The points are equally as valuable to them as they are to us.

We’re going to be without one or two players tomorrow night. We all know Alex Song has left for Africa now and he will be sorely missed. Abou Diaby has volunteered to take the job but I don’t think he is the right man, he is better going forward, penetrating defences and despite his stature he’s not a great tackler or header of the ball. The same goes for Ramsey, I think he’s also a more forward-minded central midfielder. The answer is probably Denilson but he has just been out injured. I actually wrote this blog last night for reasons I will explain later on so it’s too early to know if he’s fit or not yet. Wenger said he had tests yesterday and a decision will be made after today’s training session so we will probably find out later this afternoon.

If he doesn’t make it I’m not sure who we’re going to play at defensive midfield to be honest. Nasri played there at the end of last season but I didn’t think it really suited him, however Wenger’s played him there before so he might do it again. Otherwise it’ll have to be Diaby or Ramsey.

Tomas Rosicky was meant to play at West Ham on Sunday but wasn’t even on the bench. He’s not supposed to be injured at the moment so I have no idea where he’s gone. He should be playing tomorrow night presuming he hasn’t picked up another injury…

Tomas has just signed a new contract so Wenger obviously believes he will recover from his injury troubles. I’m sure he’d like to celebrate his new deal by starting tomorrow so we’ll have to see if he’s fit or not! I hope he does play because we’re very short on options as it is at the moment. With Cesc and possibly Denilson out we really need midfielders but then again we need wide players in that front three too. Rosicky can play in both of those positions so fingers crossed he’s alright.

Arshavin should be back after also sitting out the West Ham game and he should be joined by winning goal scorer, Eduardo. Vela had a decent game I thought so might get the nod again if Nasri is needed in central midfield. Nicklas Bendtner has been speaking to the press back home and is hoping to face Bolton when we go to the Reebok on the 17th. It’ll be good to have him back but don’t expect him to come straight back and into top gear.

As for Bolton’s team well all I really know is that they will field a team of cunts. They always do.

Wenger will stress the importance of this game and the players will know that a win tomorrow will mean we are right in with a chance to lift that title in May. This is a massive game and if we win it things are about to get really exciting.

We’re not on TV but those going try your best to make some noise in those sub-zero temperatures. I’m not going to the game tomorrow in fact I’ll be in a place even colder, the French Alps. I’m going snowboarding for a few days and wont be back until the weekend hence your early match preview. There’ll be no report on this game obviously but but I’m back in time for Everton on Saturday so I’ll speak to you at the weekend.

Thanks for reading and I’ll speak to you in a few days time. Come on The Arsenal!