Gooner Talk

Arsenal took on a tough Bolton side at the Reebok this afternoon looking to extend their points in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger left Robin van Persie and England ace Theo Walcott on the bench for the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Nicklas Bendtner was handed a start to partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front and Emmanuel Eboue was restored to the line-up as Wenger made two changes to the side that drew with Dynamo Kiev.

Bolton Starting XI:

Jaaskelainen
Steinsson – Shittu – A O’Brien – Samuel
J O’Brien – Smolarek – Muamba – Nolan – Gardner
Davies

Arsenal Starting XI:

Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Eboue – Fabregas – Song – Denilson
Adebayor – Bendtner

Read the rest of this entry »

Bolton Fabrice Muamba’s recent performances haven’t lived up to the hype surrounding the Reebok hardman.

Wanderers boss Gary Megson believes he has something to prove tomorrow evening, in a game which will see Muamba face his former team.

Gary Megson says the England under-21 international’s form has dipped since starring on the opening day of the season against Stoke, mirroring Wanderers’ own slump in fortunes.

“He started the season very well against Stoke, I thought he had a fantastic game,” Megson said. “But his standard since then hasn’t quite reached that height.”

Muamba joined then-Premier League side Birmingham in January 2007 from Arsenal for an initial £2 million pounds, that fee eventually rose to £4 million following criteria on appearances being met.