Arsenal will be able to call upon the fit again Samir Nasri when Bolton arrive at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday but boss Arsene Wenger still has an injury headache to deal with (Arsenal 2/9, draw 9/2, Bolton 11/1).
Nasri has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season, in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in August. However, he has now recovered from knee surgery and the Frenchman is ready to face Bolton.
Wenger will be without key centre-half Thomas Vermaelen, who has an Achilles problem, meaning summer signing Sebastien Squillaci looks set to deputise in the heart of the Arsenal defence alongside fellow new-boy Laurent Koscielny.
Theo Walcott faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty in England’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland in midweek, while Robin van Persie is yet to recover from his own ankle complaint and will play no part.
Long-term absentees Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) are both unavailable, but Jack Wilshere could be in line to face his former club having spent a spell on loan at the Reebok Stadium last season.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle admits he is wary of Wilshere having worked with the midfielder last season (Wilshere 13/2 to score first).
“When he came here, perhaps he was a little bit immature,” Coyle told the Bolton News. “But you had a real man by the end of the season. I think he really blossomed as a player and as a person.
“Because of the way he plays the game, even in training, he took knocks all the time because he brings the ball so close to you, knowing he has the quick feet to get it out again. He probably took more knocks than anybody – and he’s certainly more used now to the rigours and demands of the Premier League.
“Jack can put himself about and take care of himself. It will be good to see him; I just hope he doesn’t play too well.”
Coyle has a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from but the Scottish manager will be without first-choice keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who is suspended for the next three fixtures, while striker Ivan Klasnic faces a late fitness test as he continues to recover from a thigh problem.
Adam Bogdan, a 22-year-old Hungarian, will deputise in Jaaskelainen’s absence after making his debut following the Finn’s second half sending off in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham (Bolton 10/1 to keep a clean sheet, Arsenal 8/13).
Arsenal (from): Almunia, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Rosicky, Song, Fabregas, Eboue, Arshavin, Chamakh, Fabianski, Wilshere, Gibbs, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Nasri, Djourou.
Bolton (from): Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, Elmander, K Davies, Klasnic, Lainton, M Davies, Blake, Taylor, Ricketts, Alonso, A O’Brien, Moreno.
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