Arsenal vs Bolton: Preview, predictions and lineups
After an extremely challenging week, Arsenal return to action on Wednesday evening when they host Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup third round.
Following the international break, the Gunners faced Tottenham Hotspur, Atalanta and Manchester City on the road within just seven days. A victory in the north London derby was followed by a goalless draw in Bergamo, with a drama-filled 2-2 draw with the reigning Premier League champions coming most recently.
With a tricky week now behind them, attention turns to a more favourable fixture this Wednesday. Mikel Arteta is likely to make sweeping changes to his side when they host League One Bolton, offering some key personnel a rest.
Bolton have made an extremely disappointing start to the 2024/25 season in the third tier, with just seven points taken from their opening six league matches. Having reached the League One play-off final last term, things have taken a downward turn for the former Premier League outfit and their issues may be exacerbated by a trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Here is 90min’s guide to Arsenal’s third round Carabao Cup encounter.
Arsenal vs Bolton H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Arsenal |
Bolton |
|---|---|
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Man City 2-2 Arsenal – 22/09/24 |
Bolton 5-2 Reading – 21/09/24 |
|
Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal – 19/09/24 |
Bolton 0-4 Huddersfield – 14/09/24 |
|
Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal – 15/09/24 |
Barrow 2-3 Bolton – 03/09/24 |
|
Arsenal 1-1 Brighton – 31/08/24 |
Bolton 0-2 Exeter – 31/08/24 |
|
Aston Villa 0-2 Arsenal – 24/08/24 |
Shrewsbury 0-2 Bolton – 27/08/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Sky Sports+ |
|
United States |
Paramount+ |
|
Canada |
DAZN |
Arteta is likely to make significant changes midweek, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko still sidelined.
Leandro Trossard is suspended following his red card away at Man City and back-up goalkeeper Neto is cup-tied, meaning Tommy Setford could come in for his Arsenal debut if David Raya is rested.
Raheem Sterling should earn a first start and will be joined by former Man City teammate Gabriel Jesus in the starting lineup. There may be call-ups for youngsters Ethan Nwaneri, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
David Raya is a doubt with a knee injury and could be replaced by 16-year-old Jack Porter.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bolton (4-3-3): Porter; White, Kacurri, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Oulad M’Hand; Saka, Jesus, Sterling.
Full-back Jordi Osei-Tutu, who signed from Bochum in the summer, will miss a return to Arsenal, whom he represented as a youth player. He’s sidelined with injury and he’s joined by Carlos Mendes, Gethin Jones, Will Forrester and Klaidi Lalos in the treatment room.
Dion Charles is the major goal threat for Bolton, with four strikes in six League One games this term. He netted a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Reading on Saturday. At the other end, Ricardo Santos will be key in handling Arsenal’s array of attacking talent.
Bolton predicted lineup vs Arsenal (3-5-2): Southwood; Toal, Johnston, Santos; Cogley, Thomason, Sheehan, Arfield, Schon; Adeboyejo, Charles.
Even with an array of starting lineup alterations, Arsenal should stroll to a comfortable victory to secure progression to the fourth round. They still have an abundance of talent to call upon, while their exciting youngsters will be keen to impress Arteta.
Bolton have struggled defensively this season and confidence levels won’t be high heading to north London. There’s little chance of a major upset at the Emirates, with another clean sheet on the horizon for the Gunners.