Balance Sheet Test At Bolton For Rising Young Stock

Arsenal travel to Bolton on Saturday. It's only one game, but is like a balance sheet for the rising stock of our young assets.

We won 2-0 at the Reebok in 2001/2 when Freddie was on his scoring run and Bergkamp was in inspired form, we drew there in our unbeaten season of 2003/4 after conceding a late Pedersen thunderbolt.

Last season we lost. We were dreadful and any hope of the title evaporated.

This is a parameter of where our rebuilding process stands. If we win this game we can prove we are genuine when we talk of the title.

I suspect Wenger will continue with Cygan at Left Back as Bolton will attempt to play high diagonal balls and play a very direct game. They will be physical and we need stability at set pieces. I think AW will be tempted to play Flamini to added defensive steel to the midfield, but after the 1st half at Tottenham he realises that Gilberto & Flamini are not compatible.

Pires has started to come back to form and has improved his work-rate and desire. Pires can be the man who along with Fabregas and Henry who unlocks Bolton.

Bolton are a hard working, fit and physical side, who seem to raise their game for the bigger teams. In their style of play Bolton are the opposite of Arsenal.

However despite the differences there are similarities.

Bolton play long ball, direct, quick, ram raiding football. They don't have an alternative, they believe that brings the best out of them and gives them the best chance of getting something from the game. Arsenal play free flowing, quick, intricate and patient football, which is heavily reliant on technique, speed, off the ball movement and close control. Arsenal also believe this is the way to win games and only in desperate situations change their style.

The best way to illustrate the disparity between the sides is by highlighting the best player from each side.

Nolan is Bolton's best player and captain. He is a scouser, a workhorse with a blockbuster of a shot, a muscular powerhouse. He can head, pass and embodies Bolton's spirit. Nolan effectively is a physical representation of Bolton.

Henry is Arsenal's brightest star. We all know about Henry. There is no player like him, he has electric pace, has unbelievable eloquence and glides over the pitch with incomparable grace. He creates goals, scores goals and destroys teams. He is unique. Thierry Henry is like.. Thierry Henry.

This game will highlight any physical and fundamental weaknesses we have. In this type of game you have to stand up and be counted. If we want to win the game we cannot allow ourselves to be bullied. There is nowhere to hide.