MATCH PREVIEW: Lancashire holds no fears for Gunners these days
Much has been made of Arsenal s brittleness when playing in Lancashire, but their recent record has shown a marked improvement, bolstered by last weekend s win at Blackburn. They have also won on their past two visits to the Reebok, taking six points off
Much has been made of Arsenal's brittleness when playing in Lancashire, but their recent record has shown a marked improvement, bolstered by last weekend's win at Blackburn.
They have also won on their past two visits to the Reebok, taking six points off the Trotters last season.
Lancashire holds no fear for the Londoners these days.
Bolton, however, is still an unpleasant place to attempt to pick up three points.
Last term, Gary Megson (pictured) - a shock choice for the Wanderers hot-seat - comfortably kept them in the Premier League on a rich diet of hard work and percentage football.
Similar stuff, in fact, to local legend Sam Allardyce before he left for a brief, albeit lucrative, stint at the poisoned chalice that is Newcastle United.
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Bolton started this season well with a 3-1 home win over Premier League new boys Stoke City but it's been all downhill from there.
Defeats at Newcastle (0-1) and, last week, Fulham (1-2) point to a need to pick up wins at home, but that has not materialised since that match against Stoke on August 16.
Since then, West Bromwich Albion have left the Reebok with a point after a goalless draw while League One strugglers Northampton Town went one better in the Carling Cup, humiliating their hosts by battling to a shock 2-1 win.
The pressure is building on Megson but he believes his side, who were 2-0 up on the Gunners last March before conceding three late on to lose 3-2, can upset their visitors on Saturday teatime in front of the television cameras.
"If we play like we did against Fulham we'll get skated by Arsenal, but I am confident we won't do that again," said Megson this week.
"Arsenal is a home game for us and if we don't go about it in the right manner we'll get beaten.
