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Bolton's Carling Cup conquerers Middlesbrough have been the only team to record victory against the North London side this season defeating Arsene Wenger's side over two legs to set up a League Cup Final date with Wanderers last month.
The last time the two sides met was during the Christmas period when a late volley by substitute Henrik Pedersen gained Bolton a point after Robert Pires had given Arsenal the lead. Since then the Gunners have only failed to collect any less than three points in the Premiership on one occasion, this coming in the 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on the 7th January. Arsene Wenger's team are currently on the back of nine straight wins in all competitions and will be hoping to make it ten against their Lancashire opponents.
Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has more or less the same squad at his disposal that took part in last weekend's defeat to Chelsea meaning that Youri Djorkaeff (hamstring), Florent Laville (knee) and Ricardo Gardner (knee) are all ruled out of the trip South. Greek midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos is once again expected to keep his place in the side having impressed against the Blues.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is able to name Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg and Jeremie Aliadiere in his squad after the trio returned to training this week following recent injuries. However midfielder Ray Parlour (knee), striker Sylvain Wiltord (ankle) and defender Phillippe Senderos (foot) are all long term casualties.
Bolton haven't beaten Arsenal since their first Premiership meeting back in October 1995 when a goal from John McGinlay in front of the SKY TV cameras at Burnden Park gave Wanderers the three points. Two seasons ago a late goal by Michael Ricketts cancelled out a first half Francis Jeffers strike at Highbury to give Bolton a deserved point but Wanderers haven't won at Highbury for a decade, the last win coming in 1994 when goals from John McGinlay, Jason McAteer and Andy Walker gave the then Division One side a giantkilling victory over the cup holders.
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GEORGE HUNT
BRIAN KIDD
ISAIAH RANKIN
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BRUCE RIOCH
FRANK STAPLETON