Bolton travel to Emirates Stadium on Saturday without a manager and seemingly much hope of stemming Arsenal’s early-season swagger.
On Wednesday Sammy Lee paid the price for Wanderers’ wretched start to the season which has seen the team win just once in nine games and, as chairman Phil Gartside leafs through his contacts book, caretaker manager Archie Knox is the man in a hot-seat left a little bit too warm by Sam Allardyce.
Back in Bolton’s halcyon days, the Lancastrians were renowned as Arsenal's bogey side but, somewhere along the line, Big Sam's black magic lost its potency - Bolton have won only one of their last five meetings with The Gunners and, in fact, the team have not won in their last nine visits to North London since an FA Cup replay win in 1994.
In contrast to The Trotters’ struggles, Arsenal have dropped just two points in eight Premier League games and a 3-2 win over Sunderland extended The Gunners’ winning run to 10 games in all competitions.
Arsene Wenger’s biggest selection concern is in attack after Robin van Persie was ruled out for the next month with a knee injury sustained while on international duty. The Dutchman’s absence means Eduardo da Silva will lead the line.
Arsenal’s five-goal top scorer could also be joined on the sidelines by the similarly prolific ex-Gunner Nicolas Anelka, with the Frenchman, who has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Arsenal, a doubt because of a calf injury!
ARCHIE KNOX hopes some of Alex Ferguson’s magic has rubbed off on him as he prepares to face his mentor’s bitter rivals Arsenal today.
The Scot, 60, only arrived at the Reebok in August as Sammy Lee’s assistant and finds himself in charge after spending most of his career as a No 2.
Knox worked with Fergie at Manchester United and Aberdeen and also spent time alongside current Rangers boss Walter Smith. He said: “I’ve grown up with them — Walter and I played together and I spent 11 years with him at both Rangers and Everton.
“You develop your own experience along the way but you cannot help but pick up the traits of the guys you work with.”
Knox is happy to hold the fort but has no desire to take the job permanently.
He added: “When this comes later along in your career I think it’s time for younger guys to take over the high pressure roles that managers have now.”
Knox gave up a role with Scotland’s Under- 21s to join Lee and now faces an uncertain future.
He said: “There will be disappointment at Sammy’s departure. “I’m sure the players will feel that but it’ll be case of them getting on with the job they are paid for.
“Every game is massive but there is no harder task than Arsenal away.”
42 min, good dribling run by Hleb and good cross produced by Eduardo, but a Poor Header from Adebayor with the Ball off the Target completely....:onion03:
發表於 2007-10-19 08:49 PM
| 
我估计ARSENAL将会派出以下＂强阵＂
