Stewart Robson assesses the Norwich City game
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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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IT'S ALL OVER AT THE EMIRATES: What was that about climbing the table? Arsenal have done exactly that after a fine second-half display. Robin van Persie's double completed a century of goals for the Club and Alex Song added a superb third. Bolton never recovered from David Wheater's red card shortly after the interval and Arsenal ran out deserved winners
Full Time FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 3-0 BOLTON
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BOTH SIDES DOWN TO TEN: But Arsenal still attacking... Song to Arshavin and he shoots wide from a narrow angle
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WALCOTT IS DOWN, INJURED: He will take no further part in this match and limps off down the tunnel. That's a blow. He pulled up and I suspect that is a hamstring strain
90
'ONE ARSENE WENGER!' As on Tuesday, the Arsenal fans are serenading the boss at the end of this game
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal last won a game by a three-goal margin back in January. How good will this one be for confidence?
89
THAT'S A BEAUTY FROM SONG: Sagna's cut-back takes a touch off Ramsey and reaches Song, who dances inside his marker and arrows a shot into the top corner. Icing on the cake
Top Comments:
CallMeSpits on Twitter says:
We've only got one Song!
89
GOAL! - Alex Song 3 : 0 OH YES! WHAT A GOAL FROM ALEX SONG!
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KEEP-BALL FROM ARSENAL: They are happy with two it seems and, as the sun breaks through the cloud, the home side pop it around on the right flank
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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Substitution SUB FOR ARSENAL: Off comes RVP to a standing ovation. And it's the return of Chamakh - it is
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WALCOTT AGAIN... and another miss! It really hasn't been his day today. That one was badly sliced wide
83
HAT-TRICK CHANCE! Arshavin dinks it to RVP and he takes a great touch before shooting but Knight gets there to make the block. Good defending
82
HOOF! Petrov hammers the ball away, almost finding Club Level here at the Emirates. Corner to Arsenal, but that's cleared
81
Substitution SUB FOR ARSENAL: Off comes Mikel Arteta. He's replaced by Tomas Rosicky
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
A standing ovation for Mikel Arteta from the Arsenal fans today.
80
CHANCE FOR THEO... this one is from a narrow angle and he cuts it back instead... RVP goes down but no penalty!
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Substitution SUB FOR ARSENAL: Here comes Arshavin, off goes Gervinho. Good time to come on
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WALCOTT CLEAN THROUGH: Oh no, he missed it. Great pass from Song, perfectly-timed run but a weak finish and Jaaskelainen gets his hand to it
Top Comments:
LevReynolds on Twitter says:
We have the one-touch football back. You can see our tempo is quick and we have that urgency. We're back! (I hope...)
76
RVP TO WALCOTT... but that is too heavy. Shame, Theo would have been clear on goal
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THE HANDBRAKE IS WELL AND TRULY OFF: Arsenal were nervy, edgy, anxious in the first half, now they are free-flowing. Not sure what Wenger said at the break but they have been a different side since then
Top Comments:
YossiBFans on Twitter says:
Arsenal are on fire, we have much more control over the ball.
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LOVELY, LOVELY FINISH! Walcott gets down the right and crosses low for the skipper to flick past Jaaskelainen. Congratulations to RVP - here's to the next 100
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Brilliant from Van Persie, but that goal was all about Theo Walcott. He did superbly well there.
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GOAL! - Robin van Persie 2 : 0 GOAL!!! RVP HAS 100 FOR ARSENAL!
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Substitution BOLTON SUB: Mark Davies replaces Chris Eagles for the visitors
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RVP TO GERVINHO... but Knight reads that well and clears the danger
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HERE COMES BOLTON: But that's a hopeful, wayward cross and Szczesny claims easily
Top Comments:
wigeon007 on Twitter says:
Come on Gunners a couple more goals would be great!
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GERVINHO DANGEROUS: He has really benefited from the extra space and is drifting around in central areas to good effect. Surely a second goal is not far away?
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JAASKELAINEN AGAIN! Gervinho to Walcott and his cross is chipped up for RVP whose header is pushed away brilliantly. Another half-chance... and another save. The Bolton keeper is keeping his side in this
Top Comments:
SebzyWilshere19 on Twitter says:
We need to keep up the tempo and keep calm, especially in defence. One more goal and we'll be in comfort zone.
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HANDBAGS: RVP and Zat Knight have a bit of a sort-out - at one point the Arsenal skipper is surrounded by four opponents - but it all calms down with no cards brandished
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EAGLES THROUGH ON GOAL... he shoots low but Szczesny saves down to his right. Arsenal can break fast and Koscielny finds Gervinho, he picks out RVP and his shot is pushed away by Jaaskelainen. Phew!
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EAGLES THROUGH ON GOAL... he shoots low but Szczesny saves down to his right
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DOUBLE-SAVE JAASKELAINEN: The Bolton keeper claws away a cross and then saves well from Arteta's stinging shot
Top Comments:
Motivation_9mm on Twitter says:
I'm so happy with Aaron Ramsey's performance. With Jack Wilshere out this is a massive chance for one of my favourite central midfielders.
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RAMSEY INCENSED: He is penalised for a foul - and he clearly didn't think it was a foul. Bolton still struggling to get out of their own half though
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Much better movement from Arsenal now. There's more options and it is much, much better.
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ARTETA... OOH, SO CLOSE! Excellent play from Gervinho on the left, he finds RVP, he lays it back for Arteta and the Spaniard rolls a side-footed effort just wide
Top Comments:
SUPERflousMAN on Twitter says:
I hope we open their defence up even more now and score six more goals. Seriously...
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ALL LOOKING GOOD FOR ARSENAL: A goal, an extra man, a bit more confidence. No silly mistakes and this should be three points
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Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Steinsson goes into the book
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HERE COMES ROBIN... he hits it hard and low but that's easy for Jaaskelainen. No 100 will have to wait
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Substitution BOLTON SUB: Boyata replaces Muamba as Owen Coyle shores up his defence
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PERFECT PASS FROM RAMSEY: He picked out Walcott through the centre, Wheater hauled the England man back, Arsenal have a free kick and Bolton are down to ten men
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Red Card WHEATER IS SENT OFF!
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Brilliant ball through to Walcott, but Wheater's arm has just got tangled with his. Seems a little harsh but there was contact.
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WALCOTT SHOOTS... but that's not his best effort and hits a defender
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GERVINHO PENALISED: Clattenburg says that's a foul, seemed a bit harsh. Customary booing from the home fans. All the same, Gervinho and the rest of the attack have a bit more verve now
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THAT'S 99 FOR RVP: He's moved to within one goal of his first century for Arsenal. A fine effort
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Gervino at the start of this half is going inside to get the ball, that's interesting.
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VAN PERSIE AGAIN! One touch to control, one to shoot with his right... and Jaaskelainen just gets down in time to deny the Arsenal skipper
Top Comments:
Eon_93 on Twitter says:
Good finish from a tight angle. Good start to the second half, hope we can build on this.
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ARSENAL WORKING HARD OFF THE BALL: Bolton have a good spell of possession but RVP and Ramsey close down well. That's what we want to see
Top Comments:
SUPERflousMAN on Twitter says:
Van Persie! Goallll! 40 seconds is all it takes. Let's do this!
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JUST WHAT WE NEEDED! Van Persie dummies to shoot, jinks past a defender and then lashes a low effort past Jaaskelainen at his near post. What a start to the second half! Good work from Ramsey in the build-up too
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GOAL! - Robin van Persie 1 : 0 GOAL!!! VAN PERSIE FIRES ARSENAL IN FRONT!
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
It was a great finish, almost like his goal in the Champions League against Barcelona last season.
Kick Off ARSENAL GET US UNDERWAY: RVP kicks off the second half and the sun is straining to come through the clouds
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THAT'S ALL FOR NOW: Bolton started the stronger but Arsenal have slowly taken a grip. A lack of understanding has hampered them at times but they finished the first half strongly. I'll be back in a bit with all the second half action - keep watching our Matchday Show for a special video feature
Half Time HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 BOLTON
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WALCOTT WITH THE CURLER! Oooh, and that bends just wide with Jaaskelainen beaten. Good effort
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WONDERFUL BLOCK! Walcott spins away from his man and races into the box. He cuts it back for RVP who lets fly... but Wheater does brilliantly
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: Gervinho's cross is turned behind by a defender... RVP takes the corner but that's easy for Bolton to clear.
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SCRAPPY: Both teams surrendering possession, no one really getting a grip in midfield. That suits the visitors of course. Gervinho on the left now... and his pass into the box is wayward. Story of the half really
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ARSENAL PRESSURE: Good spell this for the home side. Song finds RVP, he can't get the shot away, the ball bounces around the box and falls for Walcott but he can't connect properly
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
That's what happens when you get more bodies in the box. It was a great challenge from Robinson.
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BOOKING FOR MUAMBA? Not according to the ref, Mark Clattenburg. He hauled down Gervinho from behind but no card. Hmmm.
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KOSCIELNY ON THE VOLLEY: But he gets that all wrong. Promising build-up ended with Walcott's shot but it spins up into the air and heads for the French defender - he should have done better
Top Comments:
LevReynolds on Twitter says:
If only that was Van Persie there instead of Koscielny!
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WELL PLAYED ARTETA: Excellent run from the Spaniard but his pass to RVP is cut out. That's got the crowd going though
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Ramsey is trying to look for a ball every time but sometimes he will have to go back. The crowd are getting frustrated.
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COME ON ARSENAL: The home fans try to rally their team. I can see a few empty seats but looks like another 60,000 crowd
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LACK OF COHESION: Arsenal are knocking it about recently authoritatively but there is something missing and it's cohesion, understanding. I guess that's to be expected with so many new players
Top Comments:
fatahtahir on Twitter says:
Hang in there Koscielny! You're getting a pounding but playing well thus far!
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GERVINHO TRIES HIS LUCK: And that was a decent effort - 20 yards out but it rose too much and fizzes over Jaaskelainen's bar
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OFFSIDE! Walcott goes through but the flag goes up. That was marginal and possibly level
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
He was unlucky there. Paul Robinson showed all of his experience. They all seem to make the forward run - Gervinho, Walcott and Van Persie - which is encouraging.
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OUCH: Koscielny is sold short by Ramsey and Reo-Coker crunches into a 50-50 challenge. At the other end Gervinho and Song misplace passes intended for Walcott and Arteta. They just aren't clicking right now
Top Comments:
mahendra on Twitter says:
Arteta and Gervinho are looking good so far.
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CHELSEA AND SPURS LEAD: Our London rivals are having a good day. Come on Arsenal, let's step it up here
Top Comments:
YossiBFans on Twitter says:
Love how Arsenal are in control of the ball.
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CONFUSION! Walcott gets into a great position inside the box on the left, cuts back onto his right foot and lays it off to Gervinho, but the Ivorian wasn't expecting that. Wasted opportunity
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GOOD TACKLE ON GERVINHO: Lovely flick from Sagna sent him through but that's a decent recovery from Steinsson
Top Comments:
goonerli on Twitter says:
Eating in a pub that just started playing the Spurs game. Some places have no class...
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BOLTON ON THE BREAK: Petrov gets down the left and crosses, Eagles runs into Sagna and can't reach it
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THAT'S BETTER: Van Persie to Gervinho and his cross is put behind for a corner. Walcott was lurking in that central position he loves. In comes the corner but that's easy for the keeper
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LACK OF SPARK: Arsenal's attacking play lacks tempo at the moment... but there's a half-chance as Gervinho's deflected cross confuses Steinsson and his defensive header almost goes past Jaaskelainen
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MUAMBA ALL OVER RAMSEY: Former Gunner Fabrice has been detailed to mark the Wales captain it seems but he fouls him on that occasion. Not much space at all in the central areas
Top Comments:
enshug on Twitter says:
Song and Arteta are looking good as a midfield partnership.
20
Substitution BOLTON SUB: On comes Kevin Davies. He has caused us plenty of problems down the years and will try to get up against Gibbs to meet those big diagonals
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NGOG IS DOWN: Looks like Bolton will have to make a sub and Kevin Davies is getting stripped off (just his tracksuit, I mean)
18
SHOOOOOT! The fans implore Mertesacker to have a pop from about 40 yards - not entirely sure why. He doesn't listen anyway and plays a square pass
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WHIPPED IN BY RVP... that's over everyone but Gervinho retrieves and that's a brilliant cross which Mertesacker so nearly gets his head to!
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
It's a great ball in. Mertesacker went to attack it and just got beaten at the near post.
16
ARTETA TO VAN PERSIE: Robin takes it on, dummies the shot, then lets fly, it takes a big deflection and Arsenal have a corner...
14
WALCOTT LOSES OUT: That was a missed opportunity - Gervinho made a fine run through the centre but Theo didn't spot him and was eventually dispossessed
Top Comments:
aobarsenal on Twitter says:
Arteta is looking very bright here.
13
RAMSEY DOES WELL: He's breaking forward from midfield well and gets a cross in from the right this time. Only Walcott in the box and that is nowhere near him
Top Comments:
AmyFishx on Twitter says:
This game is making me nervous already, come on the Gunners!
12
EVEN STEVENS: Hard to pick a winner to be honest. But at least Arsenal are starting to find their rhythm
11
RAMSEY IN SPACE... he's on the left, cuts in and crosses towards Walcott... but that's too heavy and Theo won't reach it. We're right back in this game though after those early scares
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
Robin van Persie uses his strength really well. He's leading the line here on his own again and looking dangerous.
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HERE COMES ROBIN AGAIN... and he curls it just wide! Lovely effort from the skipper
Top Comments:
Mr_419 on Twitter says:
We need a win today and a clean sheet. Szczesny deserves it for his efforts. Come on Arsenal!
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WALCOTT CLATTERED: Wheater is clumsy there and Arsenal have a free kick about 25 yards out. RVP steps up and shoots... and there will be a re-take, the ref wasn't happy with some pushing and shoving
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GERVINHO THROUGH ON GOAL! But his touch eludes him and Jaaskelainen races out to gather. What a shame - he was completely clear of the back four thanks to a magnificent pass from Arteta
Top Comments:
Stephen Hughes on Arsenal Player says:
He probably should have scored there, he was through one-on-one.
5
ANOTHER GREAT CHANCE: And it falls to Bolton again. This time Petrov dinks a ball into the six-yard box and Gibbs just denies Wheater. Dear me
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ARSENAL LOOK NERVY: They really haven't strung anything of note together yet. Wenger urged the players to inspire the fans and raise the noise levels - that has not happened yet
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WHY WAS SAGNA MARKING WHEATER? Seems a strange match-up that, Bac was always second favourite to win that ball
Top Comments:
jeppedabjork on Twitter says:
That Polish wall does it again! I love Szczesny.
2
OH WHAT A SAVE! Szczesny at his brilliant best. Wheater beats Sagna to the free kick and Pratley prods the ball goalwards only for Wojciech to palm it away. Almost a dreadful start for Arsenal
Top Comments:
waynesmiley on Twitter says:
Loving the line-up, we can do this today.
1
OUCH: Clash of heads there between Koscielny and Ngog. Colin Lewin rushes on to sort out the Arsenal man. Ngog gets up pretty quickly
Kick Off AND THEY'RE OFF! Bolton kick off, attacking the North Bank goal in the first half
HUDDLE TIME: Bolton's players go into a huddle - I wonder what they are saying?
#ARSENALLIVE: Have your say via Twitter using the #ArsenalLive hashtag - we'll publish a selection of them right here
Top Comments:
AbdullaSafa on Twitter says:
COME ON ARSENAL! We've got to win this match...
GOALKEEPER WOJCIECH! The teams are announced over the PA. There's an enormous flag drifting across the lower tier of the North Bank. The owner is probably worrying whether he'll get that back
HERE THEY COME... Robin van Persie leads out the Arsenal, Zat Knight captains Bolton. The Premier League handshake music gets a full airing - all 47 seconds of it. Wonderful
Top Comments:
disco316 on Twitter says:
Come on Arsenal, let's be having you!
IT'S ALMOST TIME: The players are in the tunnel, looking focused. The fans are filling the Emirates. Giuseppe Muro of Arsenal.com has taken his seat in the press box for the last time... we're moments away from kick-off
MATCHDAY SHOW: It's all about to kick off on Arsenal Player. Dan Roebuck and Stephen Hughes will bring you highlights of the Shrewsbury game plus an exclusive interview - and then full match commentary from 3pm
NO CAHILL FOR BOLTON: Bit of a surprise to see that the reported Arsenal target will not play. I'm assuming he's injured. Kevin Davies won't start either - he's on the bench for the visitors. Looks like Owen Coyle is going for pace and trickery instead of Bolton's traditional virtues
MAN CITY LEADING: Balotelli has put them one up on Everton but, frankly, we just need to worry about the Arsenal. Win today and Wenger's men will be back up in mid-table - one step at a time eh?
CARLING CUP DRAW: In case you missed it, today's fixture will be repeated in the Carling Cup next month following the Fourth-Round draw. Seems a shame not to get both games out of the way while Bolton are down here...
#ARSENALLIVE: That's the hashtag if you want to have your say on Twitter - remember, we'll publish a selection of your tweets right here. Facebook Chat is also open for your comments. Has Arsene Wenger picked the right team? Do you fancy us for the three points?
GIBBS AND WALCOTT GET THE NOD: Santos and Arshavin settle for a place on the bench while Sagna and Ramsey are fit to start as well. Rosicky is back in the squad but he's among the subs
AND THE SUBS ARE... Fabianski, Andre Santos, Frimpong, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Chamakh
ARSENAL TEAM: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott, Gervinho, Van Persie (c)
I'm Chris Harris, your text commentator, and I'll have the team news in a jiffy. Will The Ox start after his Carling Cup heroics? Will Gibbs or Santos start? Find out in just a moment
Our Matchday Show gets underway at 2.45pm with all the build-up to this vital match. You can hear live commentary from 3pm and then debate all the talking points in our post-match show. Your team today: Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Stephen Hughes
Time to start climbing the table? Absolutely, and this is the place to see if it happens. It's Arsenal v Bolton, it's the Premier League and you can follow all the action LIVE on Arsenal Player
Arsenal
13 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
28 GIBBS, Kieran
08 ARTETA, Mikel
07 ROSICKY, Tomas (81)
17 SONG, Alex
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
14 WALCOTT, Theo
10 VAN PERSIE, Robin
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (86)
27 GERVINHO
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey (78)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
07 ROSICKY, TOMAS
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
23 ARSHAVIN, ANDREY
26 FRIMPONG, EMMANUEL
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Bolton Wanderers
22 JAASKELAINEN, Jussi
31 WHEATER, David
04 ROBINSON, Paul
12 KNIGHT, Zat
02 RAFN STEINSSON, Gretar
10 PETROV, Martin
21 PRATLEY, Darren
06 MUAMBA, Fabrice
25 BOYATA, Dedryck (56)
19 REO-COKER, Nigel
07 EAGLES, Chris
24 NGOG, David
14 DAVIES, Kevin (20)
01 BOGDAN, ADAM
25 BOYATA, DEDRYCK
16 DAVIES, MARK
11 GARDNER, RICARDO
14 DAVIES, KEVIN
09 SANLI, TUNCAY
28 KAKUTA, GAEL
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Theo's had a good game. He might have missed one or two opportunities himself but overall he has looked very positive.