FA Cup 4th Round
Sunday 28th January 2007
Betting Odds:
Arsenal 1.45 Draw 3.80 Bolton 5.40
There are certain ties that, for some reason, prompt automatic presumption. And a recharged Arsenal at home against floundering Bolton would tend to follow such a thought.
A euphoric weekend home win, three minutes deep into injury time, for the Gunners against leaders Manchester United can only have heightened their hunger and strengthened their self-belief.
In direct contrast Bolton enter into the game, somewhat desperate after a colossal 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Middlesbrough. And with only one point from the last three Premiership games, odds on an away win would seem unlikely.
But this is the FA Cup. The rulebook is abruptly thrown out the window, replaced with passion and doggedness. Add to that the Gunners apparent failure to fire on all cylinders against the North West side and a bet on The Trotters isn't that farfetched.
Despite an overall Arsenal advantage (47 wins from the 119 game history), recent form is strongly proving Bolton to be Arsenal's bogey team. Four wins from the last seven encounters, including a 1-0 victory in last season's FA Cup, Bolton are encouraging the plucky to put their money on them.
Both teams enjoyed sizable third round FA Cup victories although Arsenal's being the more impressive, knocking out last season's Cup champions Liverpool 1-3 at Anfield.
A stout performance from the Gunner's saw Liverpool's back four cracked by a Tomas Rosicky double and a Thierry Henry classic.
Happy to sit back and bide their time while Liverpool exerted large spells of pressure, Arsenal's control of midfield forced the home side into taking long-range efforts.
Their opportunity arose in quick succession with Tomas Rosicky twice capitalising on Liverpool's reluctance to close down. And despite a second half Liverpool revival, a trademark Henry break sealed their fourth round place.
Bolton faced less prolific opposition in the shape of League One's Doncaster Rovers and eased to a 0-4 win. As well as a comfortable victory, Bolton manager Sam Alllardyce was happy to see Iran star Andranik Teymourian finally finding his World Cup form scoring two.
Despite the score line, Rovers did make a game of it with Paul Heffernan applying bouts of pressure on the back four. A well-clambered header denied only by an astute Ian Walker.
The pairing has only met once this season so far. A 3-1 home win for Bolton delighted The Reebok but no one took more pleasure than former Gunner Nicolas Anelka who ended a three month wait, netting two past his old club.
Although Arsenal clattered the woodwork three times in the second half, it was the home team's resilient first half performance that did the job. And it is the Northerner's physical approach that makes them one of Arsene Wenger's least favourite opponents.
With the seeming ability to disrupt Arsenal's elegant momentum, football betting odds are not ruling out an away win. And although the odds are favouring the Gunners, facing physical opponents such as Bolton after a midweek Carling Cup fixture and without top goal scorer Robin Van Persie, a flutter on the underdog could be well worth it.
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