Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 24 April 2011 12:49

I am sure I wasn't the only one who had a premonition come true yesterday. Arsenal and Chelsea fans around the world were hoping and willing Everton to hold onto a 0-0 well into eighty plus minutes until Hernandez popped up at the back post to head into the net. The very slim chances of us winning the league were pretty much halved by the forehead of the Mexican.

It is our turn this afternoon as the boys travel to Owen Coyle's Bolton who could well be the only team to come back from Wembley more disappointed than ourselves after a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Stoke City. Urrgh, I can only feel sorry for the Bolton supporters to have to deal with getting that type of hiding from that team. The fact that I am feeling sorry for Bolton supporters kind of tells you what I feel about Stoke.

Anyway back to the game today, Bolton will certainly not be moping around with heads down and shoulders hunched. They will be desperate to come and quickly and will probably

A) Let us know they are there
B) Get in our faces
C) Give the fancy dans a kick
D) Attempt to bully us
E) Get it in the mixer nice and early

Those examples are all just a guess and I have no idea where I got these thoughts from.

It is down to us though to continue our first half work at White hart lane and hopefully less of the second half showing that saw us surrender too much possession to the opposition.

I actually have the feeling that we will find our best form just too late. We were very impressive in the first half and I believe the return of Cesc. Walcott, Song and company from injury has meant that they have needed a few games to get up to speed. I believe it will be too late for the title but hopefully we can at least enjoy the rest of the season.

On the injury front, only one player has suffered yet another set back and it isn't difficult to guess which player it is.

Abou Diaby has to be the unluckiest player in Arsenal history as he battles for fitness. It is hardly a surprise that he struggles for consistency. Those frothing at the mouth at him about his troubles would do well to remember that he is surely much more frustrated that he cannot play the run of games that he would like to find his best form.

Jack Wilshere will return to the starting line up after resting at Tottenham. He will also be returning to the club that gave him his break into the Premier League on loan and he will be looking to show how much he has matured during his time back at Arsenal.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up:

One to watch: Cesc Fabregas

Cesc looked to be at his weaving, turning, ridiculous passing that no other person saw best in midweek. Like Diaby he has had to deal with inconsistency due to his ol'hamstrings. As long as he is not feeling the strain of them then I expect Cesc to be a major threat to Bolton this afternoon. I have a feeling that he will score today. How I wish he had last season's goal tally with him this time round. The league would surely be ours if that was the case

Mean Lean's Match Prediction:

Bolton 0 Arsenal 2 (Cesc, Walcott)

Yup, you've guessed it another predicted victory for us. This time I am actually going with my head rather than my heart. Bolton will huff and puff but I expect our boys to repeat much of our first half display at Tottenham and our attacking players will have too much for Bolton.

COME ON YOU RED AND WHITES

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Comments (20)

• 24-Apr-2011 13:34 | | brdgunner  - What next?
  

  I think Arsene has to ring in changes this summer. Diaby, Denilson, Squid, Almunia, and maybe Niki should move on for their and our best interests.
  
  Diaby cant keep fit, Denilson has not moved on, niki needs games he cant get at Arsenal Squid is not good enough and Almunia is a liability.
  
  I think we need to bring in 3 players that will shake up the team and the league. The problem we have is we have become a Self-fulfilling prophecy. The players of our team the opposing team the press eveyone expects us to blow it and we do. I think 3 top players will make people fear us. Fear is why Man U win so many home games, many teams could get a result if they didn't fear UTD.
  
  We need to instill that fear, and we have no chance if our players dont have it.
  
  Scott Parker and a CB and Striker. As long as the striker comes with a reputation of getting goals, not a world super star just dangerous it would make such a difference.
  
  COME ON THE GUNNERS

• 24-Apr-2011 15:03 | | richie
  

  At this stage I'd take a win however it comes! 0-1 by a fluke, not coz I'm not positive but because a win is what the team needs badly. I'm never gonna get into what this team needs for the future until this season's done and we're gonna play Emirates Cup football. Lets get a win under our belts and see.

• 24-Apr-2011 17:02 | | john  - bottlers
  

  All i will say is. Are you watching todays match. what a pile of S***. tippy tappy , tippy tappy. Nasri had 3 chances and still wanted to pass the bloody ball in the 18 yard box. Wasters, bottlers, weaklings and losers. and we can look forward to this crap next year. I suppose we still dont need to spend eh Richie.

• 24-Apr-2011 17:09 | | gooner4lyf  - what's the excuse now
  

  you've just seen the difference between man u & arsenal. When man u have a spell of pressure they score. How did we lose that match. that unbeaten run the manager has been harping on about is gone now... WHAT'S THE EXCUSE GONNA BE THIS TIME HUH!!!! ARSENE?

• 24-Apr-2011 17:34 | | Gino92
  

  Well, it is all over. Literally. I hope we can just end the season on a high note and not drop to 4th place behind City. What a shameful season it turned out to be. Players having no passion or desire to finish strong and win the league, which was still very likely and very probable just a short little month ago.
  
  I hope we can learn some much -appreciated lessons and get some new players (at least 4, an experienced GK, a tall and commanding CB, a tall and strong DM, and a goal-hungry selfish striker who isn't afraid get into the box and stay there and shoot the crap out of the damned ball) in when the transfer window opens.
  
  I love Arsenal, I love AW, I love this young team and I will keep supporting them thru good times and bad (irrespective of tittles won or not won, as long as they display a gladiator-like fighting spirit out on the pitch every week and show the fans that they can hold their own and battle hard) but they are just too immature and too depressing at times. Far too many times... When the going gets tough, they don't stand up and be counted for; they crumble and just bend over to take it up the arse season after season (over the last few). This has got to stop once and for all.
  
  And please AW, get a good defensive coach to teach this group of players how to defend a set piece. It just seems like "deja vu" all over again, what we witnessed today.
  
  I apologize if I have offended anyone. Just too stressed out right now. I want to get mad and break stuff but I can't even muster the courage to care anymore this season, really. I am simply looking forward to 2011-12. Maybe this will pass and I will care next Sunday against Man U...
  
  GO GUNNERS!

• 24-Apr-2011 17:47 | | dkgooner
  

  This board is going to make depressing reading after today.
  Think I'll take a break until the end of the season.
  Have fun guys.

• 24-Apr-2011 17:49 | | dkgooner
  

  Hi Gino. I think you've just expressed what a lot of us are feeling.
  Thank goodness the sun is shining.

• 24-Apr-2011 18:01 | | richie
  

  Snap DKG! I feel the same.
  But there is still a small chance we could have a hand in deciding which way the title goes. If I've got some energy left after all the blood sweat and tears I've shed today, in fact shed this season I'll post again, but at this moment I can feel the wave of anticipated self hate from our own growing like a Tsunami. A week is an age in footballing terms.

• 24-Apr-2011 18:21 | | Boyd
  

  Mean Lean's Match Prediction:
  
  Bolton 0 Arsenal 2 (Cesc, Walcott)
  Yup, you've guessed it another predicted victory for us. This time I am actually going with my head rather than my heart. Bolton will huff and puff but I expect our boys to repeat much of our first half display at Tottenham and our attacking players will have too much for Bolton
  
  
  
  Let's lower our expectations.

• 24-Apr-2011 18:27 | | richie
  

  G92 I think we've now got a GK - I think the defense needs organizing especially the zonal marking they do. But I can't help feeling that if we took our chances our defense wouldn't be under such pressure. RvP is a class forward and he's bagged 17 having been out injuried for an age, but if we had another forward who was a plus 20 a season striker we would've won something this year. Think Barca and then think why they bought Villa. With all the passing they do they still needed someone other than the great Messi to bang in goals. Without RvP who've we got that will bang them in? Our midfield scorer's should be a bonus not a dependence.

• 24-Apr-2011 18:57 | | Tony
  

  But we are unbeaten for 16 games cry the AKB brigade.Fat lot of good that has done us.We have gone from2nd to 3rd with even that in doubt.Its time Gooners realised the premiership is not 28 games but 38.This season is no different to 2008 and 2010.When the going gets tough the bottlers get going.But the AKB brigade will come out with every excuse under the sun to protect their precious Wenger.We will see the same next season and the season after because Wenger will not change.Pitty Patty no shot football.70% possesion then concede from a set piece.Its Groundhog Day once more

• 24-Apr-2011 20:08 | | CHGooner  - Sad really
  

  I must admit I actually felt sympathy for AW today. He was broken in the post match interview but at least he had the guts to come on. His comments on Arsenal.com probably the most honest he's given for a long time. I don't believe he will adress our issues as I don't believe he can, but IF he did then I for one would support him. He needs to be accountable, he needs to recognise his own failure and 'man up' about that, and he needs to sign the 2-3 players we desperately need. Please Arsene, last chance saloon wise - just do it.

• 24-Apr-2011 20:52 | | MeanLean
  

  I feel massively sorry for Arsene. He has taken so much stick from Arsenal fans but all he wants is the club to be successful and have a long term future. He gets no praise for what he does on the resources he uses and gets shat on from all around.
  
  He looks like a broken man right now. He needs a holiday and needs to readdress the balance of the squad.
  
  I have no doubt that he is able to do so. A manager that is the best at finding top talent at good value. He will find the Vermaelen's, Sagna's and Nasri's again.
  
  Not much needs changing and I expect us to make the jump next time out.

• 24-Apr-2011 20:53 | | MeanLean
  

  If we converted our chances and Djourou didn't have his worse performance in a while then we would have won.
  
  Judging by the league positions of the two clubs, you cannot say it is insane for me to predict that Arsenal would win today.

• 24-Apr-2011 20:55 | | MeanLean
  

  I don't blame you guys. As the writer of the blog, escape cannot be my option.
  
  Disappointing, massively disappointing but not much needs fixing.

• 24-Apr-2011 22:25 | | Boyd
  

  After the game Wenger said " the players have been outstanding all season" so don't say "If we converted our chances and Djouru didn't have his worse performance in a while then we would have won". Let's not forget that Bolton failed to score from the charity spot.
  
  Exactly, Bolton and Arsenal are miles apart but why did we fail to beat them? Something is wrong and it is supposed to be fixed. Has Wenger lost the plot?

• 24-Apr-2011 22:53 | | Disillusioned Gooner
  

  He can move upstairs to look after the finances whilst someone else looks after pitchside affairs.

• 24-Apr-2011 22:57 | | Disillusioned Gooner
  

  16 game unbeaten run? A team could have a 38 game unbeaten run and still be relegated. A 16 game unbeaten run is admirable but not worth getting excited about if you are not top of the table or within at least 3 points of the leaders!

• 24-Apr-2011 23:50 | | Boyd
  

  It's one thing if the board said there was nu money to spend but its another thing if the board said the money was there to spend.

• 25-Apr-2011 00:13 | | Boyd
  

  Hit the send button by mistake.
  
  It's one thing if the board said there was no money to spend but it's another thing if the board said the money was there to spend. The board said that there was money to spend but Wenger chose not to spend. So I don't get it when "positive posters" keep on saying that we need to give Wenger credit for what he does on resources he uses.
  
  We didn't need to spend like other teams did. All we needed was about 50 million pounds for about 3 or 4 players. Our current team is good but we just needed to supplement it so we could have depth. Our players easily get injured because we don't have depth.
  
  How many teams complain about fixture congestion? Most don't because they have depth. You can't have depth without spending money.

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