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Arsenal v Bolton

By Simon Hopper

Last updated: 09:13 Wednesday, January 20, 2010

**BEST BET – CESC FABREGAS ANYTIME SCORER @ 9/5**

The match odds appear spot on for Arsenal’s second square-off with Bolton in the space of 4 days.

Arsene Wenger’s side coped admirably with the physical onslaught at the Reebok on Sunday to win 2-0 and though they let the Trotters in with a few chances, a return fixture at the Emirates shouldn’t be as taxing. A return of 25 points from a possible 30 at home in 2009/10 is a daunting record and a run of 7 straight wins against this opposition shows that the Sam Allardyce glory days against Arsenal are very much a thing of the past.

Owen Coyle saw his players produce a gallant display on Sunday but he inherits a regime from Gary Megson who are simply awful against big-four clubs. In 17 games against the big guns under Megson, Bolton lost 15, including 7 from 8 on the road. The Trotters are the only side in the division yet to keep a clean sheet and it is hard to see how the likes of Zat Knight, Paul Robinson and Gary Cahill will cope with the pace of the Arsenal attack on a pristine Emirates surface.

Coyle can look at Everton’s 2-2 draw here 11 days ago as a blueprint of how to play Arsenal but the Gunners were without Cesc Fabregas that day – the Spaniard makes all the difference to the side and is nigh-on impossible to play at present. A return of 10 Premier League goals and 12 assists already is nothing short of phenomenal and if Arsenal win the title then the skipper is absolutely nailed-on to win Footballer of the Year. ‘Fabs’ has scored 4 goals in his last 3 games and at 9/5 looks decent value to get on the score-sheet again as most of the other markets are devoid of value.