Gooner Talk

Summer signings Amaury Bischoff and Mikael Silvestre are set to make their Arsenal debuts tonight – in a reserve game against Stoke City.

Bischoff, 21, signed on a free transfer after his contract expired at Werder Bremen while former Manchester United defender Silvestre, signed towards the end of August after agreeing a move.

Both players have had a previous catalogue of injuries under their old clubs, but tonight can possible build them up as the season starts to get into full force.

Reserves boss Neil Banfield spoke to Arsenal.com ahead of the well-awaited tie at Underhill.

“The manager thought Bischoff and Silvestre need a game. Mikael asked to play, he’s a good pro and he feels he needs a run-out so that will be good for him. Amaury will play as part of his rehabilitation so everything is coming along fine.”

Confirmed Starting XI

Szczesny
Ayling – Bartley – Silvestre – Gibbs
Bischoff – Coquelin – Randall – Wilshere
Fonte – Simpson

Stoke have also named a strong side with Vincent Pericard, Tom Soares, Danny Pugh and Wales centre back Ryan Shawcross playing against his ex-team-mate Mikael Silvestre.

Arsenal TV will be broadcasting the game, so if you’re signed up to the Setanta Sports Package on satellite, tune in to channel 432 at 6:30pm [GMT] tonight.

As usual, you can catch all the pre and post match action over at our good friends, Young Guns.

Arsenal will be looking to shoot down the white’s in a tough looking clash at the Reebok tomorrow afternoon.

Gary Megson’s side don’t have a very good record against Arsene Wenger’s boys, and pundits are already writing them off despite Arsenal’s draw against Kiev in midweek.

Games between the two sides usually create plenty of goals, and Bolton fans may be tempted by the 9-1 on offer for the in-form Kevin Davies to bag the opener.

He has already netted two goals in the four opening games of the season and could prove a real handful for the Arsenal defence.

Injury News

Arsenal will again be without midfielder Samir Nasri (knee).

Recent signing Mikael Silvestre remains out with a muscular problem but there were no fresh injury worries from the midweek Champions League trip to Kiev.

Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Abou Diaby (thigh), Amaury Bischoff (groin) and striker Eduardo (leg) all remain in recovery.

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Fabregas – Denilson – Vela
Adebayor – van Persie

As for Bolton, Megson is still without defender Gary Cahill who completes his three-match ban tomorrow following his Carling Cup sending off against Northampton.

Matty Taylor is still unavailable through a broken toe while Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te kept himself in the manager’s thoughts with a goal in the reserves’ 3-0 victory over Newcastle.

Match Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Arsenal

Bolton v Arsenal build-up starts at 4pm tomorrow afternoon and will be broadcasted live on Setanta Sports 1with kick-off at 5:30.

Catch all the post-match reaction and player ratings here on Gooner Talk seconds after the final whistle.

Leave your views and predictions of tomorrows game in the comments section below.

As we told you several days ago, Stephen Appiah will not be moving to the Emirates Stadium, after Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed he is “not on the case” of the Ghananian skipper.

Appiah, 27,  was linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs mainly because he is available outside the transfer window having been released by Fenerbahce prior to the end of August.

Wenger confirmed to the British press earlier this afternoon that he has no interest in bringing Appiah to the club.

“No, we are not on the case,” Wenger told a press conference on Thursday.

Since the departure of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva, Arsenal have yet to have made moves in the transfer market to replace either; apart from signing youngster Amaury Bischoff.

The Accra-born star would of added plenty of experience to Wenger’s thin squad; but the Frenchman has already confirmed that he is to stick with what he’s got – at least until January, that is.

According to reports, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah.

It was reported that West Ham had also made an offer for the former Fenerbahce midfielder, but Arsene Wenger could also be on the look out for the experienced stalwart.

Appiah is one of the most highly regarded midfielders in Africa and has been named in his country’s national squad for the first time in nearly a year.

Since the departure of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva, Arsenal have yet to have made moves in the transfer market to replace either; apart from signing youngster Amaury Bischoff.

The 27-year-old Accra-born star would add plenty of experience to his squad; and his signing on a free transfer would be outside of the transfer window.

In other news, Cardiff have denied reports that suggested they tried to lure Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey back to Ninian Park on loan.

Reports on Tuesday indicated the Bluebirds made contact with Arsenal to check whether they could have the 17-year-old – who only moved to the Emirates for £5million in the summer – back on a short-term loan deal.

But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale revealed to the BBC:

“No approach has been made.”

Boss Dave Jones is on the lookout for a new midfielder after losing Riccardo Scimeca for at least two months with ankle ligament damage but Ramsey was seemingly not an option.

With the summer transfer window slammed shut – Gooner Talk, with thanks to QuartzGooner – have compiled the list of players to have been linked with us this summer.

Over 100  players were rumoured to be on their way to Arsenal but a mere 6 actually joined the club.

These were:

Aaron Ramsey, Francis Coquelin, Samir Nasri, Amaury Bischoff, Mikaël Silvestre and Oguzhan Özyakup.

Just goes to show, do not always believe what you read in the papers.

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