Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 964 Thu. February 15, 2007  
   
Sports


Wenger rubbishes Bolton jinx


Arsenal may have lost on their last three visits to Bolton's Reebok Stadium, but manager Arsene Wenger is adamant that Sam Allardyce's squad do not have some kind of psychological hold over his squad.

Bolton's success against Arsenal has led many to question whether Arsenal's cosmopolitan collection of players have sufficient resolve to make their technical ability count against direct, well-organised and, at times, physical opponents.

But Wenger, speaking ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup 4th round replay at the Reebok, insists there is no one reason for his side's lack of success there.

"If you look at recent results then, yes, Bolton have become a difficult team for us. But I don't experience it like that," the Arsenal boss said.

"They took advantage of our weak points every time, but overall I never look at any opponents as ever being a team we cannot be successful against. I just think if you do the right things then you win. You must give them credit, because in two results this season they beat us 3-1 up there and drew 1-1 at the Emirates.

"We had a very strong second half, and they were under a lot of pressure when we drew at home. That is what we want to do tonight. But they have changed -- they are a lot more technical now."

Arsenal went into the replay on an unbeaten match run and Wenger was determined to sustain the momentum.

"We are just on a good run in 2007 and we want to keep that going," the Frenchman said.

"We don't really choose what kind of competition we are in. We just know that if we win we have another game on Saturday. So let's have another game on Saturday."

Arsenal travelled north without captain Thierry Henry and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, both of whom were rested, while Alexander Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg returned to the squad after spells in the treatment room.

Right-back Justin Hoyte meanwhile admitted there was more to Bolton's success than some of their critics are prepared to admit.

"Arsenal find it difficult to get a victory at the Reebok Stadium," he admitted. "People say how 'long ball' and physical they are -- but they play good football too."