Arsenal’s title charge has hit the buffers of late but they take on Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok on Sunday and are 8/11 favourites to get back on the winning trail as the Trotters (18/5 to win, 11/4 the draw) are probably still reeling from their FA Cup semi-final Wembley nightmare last weekend.
The Gunners are ‘enjoying’ a 16-match unbeaten run in the Premier League and the only side yet to be beaten this calendar year but have failed to capitalise on recent slip from leaders Manchester United, winning just three of their last nine games.
Both Chelsea and United have secured more points in 2011 and games are running out for Arsene Wenger’s men to try and claw back a six-point deficit.
It has been a disappointing week for the Gunners to be forced to settle for two points from winning positions – firstly with Dirk Kuyt’s penalty deep into injury time on Sunday before Spurs rallied from 3-1 down on Wednesday to snatch a share of the spoils.
However, those lapses will surely focus the minds of the Arsenal players and they have certainly found Bolton an easier victim of late.
There was a time not so long ago when the Trotters were a bogey side for the north London giants but the Gunners have put that to bed with eight successive Premier League wins, and nine in total since a 3-1 defeat at the Reebok in 2006.
Earlier this season, Arsenal ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture at the Emirates while they won this game last term 2-0.
Goals have been common in this match and, of late in Arsenal’s favour, so if the 8/11 on the away win is not the sort of price you are looking for, the 15/8 on the Gunners to win in the handicap market (-1) is certainly worth looking at.
Bolton will somehow have to put that 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Stoke to the back of their minds but that will be easier said than done with precious little else (other than pride) to play for.
Owen Coyle has made the Reebok something of a fortress with just two defeats suffered at home all season, while they have also won the last four, three coming with clean sheets.
Daniel Sturridge is able to return to the side as he was ineligible for the FA Cup semi-final and should be considered in the goalscoring markets (15/8 Anytime), having scored six goals in eight Premier League games since arriving at Bolton.
However, Robin van Persie (4/1 First/Last Goalscorer) has been in sensational form on his travels and could set a new Premier League record by scoring in a seventh successive away match – he currently shares the record with Didier Drogba.
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