The Wanderers run in the Premiership over the last month has been exceptional and the Gunners will not travel North taking this game lightly as maybe they would have done a few years ago. Last year Bolton came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in April so Arsene Wenger will be hoping the Gunners won't repeat that.
Both teams where successful in progressing to the Carling Cup Semi Final in midweek and its expected both managers will bring back their first team regulars for this fixture.
Bolton will welcome back Brazilian duo Emerson Thome and Mario Jardel to the squad after both missed the game with Chelsea last weekend. Jussi Jaaskelainen is expected to return in goal in place of Kevin Poole whilst Ibrahim Ba and Stelios Giannakopoulos may drop to the bench and be replaced by Kevin Nolan and Youri Djorkaeff.
Arsenal have more or less a full strength squad to choose from but their main exclusion from the squad is England defender Ashley Cole who serves a suspension following his recent sending off against Leicester City. Young Frenchman Gael Clichy could replace Cole after impressing during the club's midweek win over West Brom. Goalkeeper Stuart Taylor will miss the game as he still hasn't recovered from a shoulder injury but the good news for the Gunners is that Martin Keown and Lauren are now ready for Premiership action again following recent injuries.
Christmas time is never an easy time when fixtures are concerned and they don't come much bigger than Arsenal, however Wanderers have proved on numerous occasions they can give the bigger clubs a run for their money and they will be hoping to continue that in tommorows clash.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
GEORGE HUNT
BRIAN KIDD
ISAIAH RANKIN
MANAGED BOTH
BRUCE RIOCH