Alright mates, settle in. Woke up proper early this morning buzzing for the Bolton cup tie. Wanted to figure out how Mikel might set the boys up tonight, so decided to put together my own little tactical preview. Didn’t just guess, mind – went through the whole process myself, head down.
Step 1: The Starting Point
Grabbed my laptop first thing. Needed the facts, didn’t I? Jumped straight onto the Premier League website. Checked the injury list. Saw Gabriel Jesus definitely out, still recovering from that knee thing. Then Partey and Timber… also listed as unavailable. Sigh. Knew right away that limited Mikel’s options, especially up front and in midfield. Had to ditch my first few thoughts right then.
Step 2: Looking Back to Go Forward
Pulled up YouTube. Spent a solid hour watching highlights – not just Arsenal’s recent wins against Palace and Forest, but focused especially on how Bolton play. Noticed they’re League One, yeah, but physical. Big lads, especially at the back. Like a header. Seemed to play quite direct down the flanks sometimes. Made me think… pace out wide and avoiding their aerial battles centrally might be key for us. Also saw Saka got kicked black and blue last weekend, thought Bolton might try the same rough stuff.
Step 3: Building the Puzzle
Right, time to actually pick the team. Got out a notepad – old school, I know. Wrote down the definite starters: Raya in goal, White, Saliba, Gabriel at the back – nailed on. Rice holding midfield, that’s a given too. Then it got tricky. With Jesus out, thought Nketiah has to lead the line, no real other choice, yeah? Needed someone buzzing around him though. Remembered Bolton’s centre-backs aren’t the quickest… Jotted down ‘Trossard’ as a possible false 9 or playing just off Eddie, maybe Ødegaard pushing higher. But felt risky against their physicality.
Midfield balance… Partey out meant Rice needed legs next to him. Against a team sitting deep… Scribbled ‘Havertz’? Could be a physical presence near Nketiah? But then remembered he’s more a runner. Circled ‘Vieira’ – his passing could be vital if Bolton park the bus, but worried he might get bullied. Odegaard a starter obviously. Wide spots… Saka has to start but probably needs protecting. Thought Reiss Nelson deserves a go on the left, or maybe shift Trossard wide and find that #10 solution?
Defensive flank opposite White… Zinchenko? But against their physical wing play? Kiwior feels more solid defensively. Drew little arrows: Zinchenko tucking in? Kiwior staying wide? Tough call.
Step 4: The Final Guesswork
After all that scribbling and crossing out, here’s where I landed for my prediction:
- Raya in goal. Safe hands.
- Defence: White (RB), Saliba (RCB), Gabriel (LCB), Zinchenko (LB). Went Zinchenko to help break them down centrally, praying he’s not caught out.
- Midfield: Rice (holding), Odegaard (RCM), Havertz (LCM). Put Havertz for his box threat running off Eddie.
- Attack: Saka (RW) – wrap him in cotton wool! Nketiah (ST), Trossard (LW). Trossard wide left to cut inside, Odegaard pulling strings.
Biggest doubts: Saka lasting 90? Havertz over Vieira? Zinchenko over Kiwior? It’s a cup game, so rotation is possible, but gotta respect Bolton too. Felt this gives attacking threat without being too lightweight. Reckon Mikel might see the physical stuff and pick Kiwior or even Jorginho for extra steel, but I stuck with my prediction. My notepad looked a proper mess by the end!
So that’s how my head got there. Let’s see tonight if I was anywhere close! Up the Arse.
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