Arsenal Rumors: Hoyte and Jaaskelainen

Arsenal's young right-back Justin Hoyte is reportedly being targeted for a loan move by both Everton and Charlton. However, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has already firmly stated that the right-back will not go out on loan this season.

Everton, who have a strong defensive lineup already, would want the 22 year-old to replace Joseph Yobo who will miss parts of January and February due to the African Cup of Nations.

Alan Pardew on the other hand simply wants to bolster the Charlton defense, and sees the Arsenal right-back as the right man for the job.

Other rumors link Arsenal to Bolton Wanderer's goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen. With Jens Lehmann's dip in form, Arsene Wenger has been relying on Manuel Almunia to tend the goal, but the Spaniard does not have the quality that a top team like Arsenal requires.

Jaaskelainen's contract with Bolton runs out in the Summer, and as the team are currently in the relegation zone, it seems unlikely that he would sign an extension. The price in January, therefore, would be quite cheap, and Jaaskelainen would be a great addition to Arsenal's squad, at least until Fabianski is old enough to wear the number one jersey.

Let's All Laugh At Tottenham

Martin Jol, the manager who brought Arsenal's cross-town rivals Tottenham Hotspur to two consecutive fifth place finishes in the Premier League quit today, following a home defeat to Getafe in the UEFA Cup.

Straight from the start, the Dutchman's future was in danger, with Spurs allegedly contacting Sevilla boss Juande Ramos to replace Jol. Tottenham's poor performances did little to alleviate the tension between him and Chairman Daniel Levy.

The club now finds itself in eighteenth place, in the relegation zone along with newly promoted Derby and Bolton Wanderers, another team to have recently sacked a boss. The boys from White Heart Lane have collected a rather pathetic seven points from ten games, continuing a poor run of form following their opening day loss to newly promoted Sunderland.

Tottenham also started off its UEFA Cup campaign on the wrong foot after losing 2-1 to Getafe at White Heart Lane.

However, of all of Tottenham's losses this season (and there have been a fair many) the one which would be most appreciated by Arsenal fans is the 3-1 loss suffered at the hands of our very own London-based team.

For those of you who don't remember the game, I'll give you a quick recap: Gareth Bale scored an early free kick goal after a nasty foul from Gilberto on the edge of the box, bringing the White Heart Lane faithful to their feet. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side refused to give up of course, and after half time, a Fabregas double and a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor sealed an Arsenal victory.

And here's how the two teams stand now:

Arsenal: 1st in the league, 25 points from 9 games, 12 straight wins
Tottenham: 18th in the league, 7 points from 10 games, winless for 7 games

I'd have to say that the irony in the situation is bordering on hysterical. So-called football pundits proclaimed the downfall of the big four in British football, claiming that Tottenham would take the final Champions League spot out from the noses of last season's underachieving Gunners. Arsene Wenger was supposed to be the first coach to leave a club in the Premier League.

Nope. Arsene Wenger is firmly at the helm of an Arsenal team that is first in both the Premier League and the Champions League group. Spurs on the other hand are manager-less and in the relegation zone.

So, if you're having a bad day, have a little laugh at the expense of Tottenham.

Arsenal vs. Bolton: Match Review

Match Preview

Archie Knox lost his first match as Bolton's caretaker as his side fell 2-0 to Arsene Wenger's first-placed team. The result keeps Arsenal at least two points clear of Manchester United (who play Aston Villa later today) with a game in hand. Bolton are not faring nearly as well, as the loss puts them rock-bottom in the Premiership, after Derby held Fulham to a goalless draw today.

Lineups:
Arsenal: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue, Mathieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb; Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo da Silva

Bolton: Jussi Jaakskelainen; Abdoulaye Meite, Andrew O'Brien, Ivan Campo, Ricardo Gardner; Danny Guthrie, Gavin McCann, Kevin Nolan, Joey O'Brien; Kevin Davies, El Hadji Diouf

Arsenal started brightly despite the battling spirit of the opposition, and it wasn't long before Alex Hleb cut back a ball for Emmanuel Adebayor only for the Togo striker to fail to make good contact, the ball eventually being cleared away.

The move was a sign of the two players fortunes to come. For a large part of the first half, Alex Hleb was the only player willing to take on defenders. Hleb's dribbling was one of the bright spots in a frustrating first half for Arsenal. On the other hand, Adebayor played poorly and missed many chances.

Bacary Sagna came up the flank to provide a cross to the tall striker, only to see the ball headed well wide.

At the twenty minute mark, Sagna was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Gavin McCann, which resulted in a yellow card for the Bolton player. Tempers flared, and Cesc Fabregas and El Hadji Diouf were both shown yellow cards.

Arsenal had a penalty shout soon after, when McCann took Emmanuel Adebayor down in the box, but he got the ball first and the referee waved play on.

Diouf got involved in the game again, as he took down Sagna on the touchline, and was very fortunate not to have been shown a second yellow for his tough tackle.

Adebayor got the last chance in a tough half as a cross from Eduardo found him in the box. The Togo player once again did badly though, heading softly behind before the half-time whistle blew.

Bolton had kept Arsenal in check for the first half, taming the usually dynamic Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal warned that they were still fighting though, as they once again raced out of the gates in the second half.

Gavin McCann mistakenly played the ball into the path of Emmanuel Eboue, who hacked his shot into the stands when he should easily have scored.

Fabregas then tried from far out, but his shot was powered into the safe hands of Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Arsene Wenger noted that Eboue and Sagna weren't providing much attacking flair up the right flank, and decided to make a double substitution to inject some pace into the game. Eboue and Eduardo (who had both been fairly quiet all game) were taken out for Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott in what turned out to be yet another brilliant move from the Frenchman.

William Gallas nearly scored on his return from injury, as he headed goalwards from a corner. However, Jaaskelainen made a fine reaction save to stop the Arsenal captain from point blank range.

The Finnish keeper could do nothing to keep Kolo Toure out in the 68th minute though. Cesc Fabregas stood over a dead ball after being taken down by Ivan Campo. The Spaniard tapped the ball to Toure who drilled his shot into the bottom left corner of Jaaskelainen's goal.

Bolton, who didn't force Almunia (who was chosen over Jens Lehmann) into a single save all game, looked sure to be defeated, but Arsenal wanted more.

Adebayor nearly grabbed a second after rounding Jaaskelainen, but he inexplicably fell to the ground instead of stroking the ball into the goal.

The second couldn't be held off for too long though, as Tomas Rosicky met Theo Walcott's low cross with his foot, ensuring Arsenal the full three points.

This match will be a good confidence booster going into Tuesday's game against Sparta Prague, and I believe that we could make it 12 straight wins before facing Liverpool next weekend.

Lehmann out, Eduardo in for Bolton Clash

Arsene Wenger has announced that he will stick with Manuel Almunia in goal for tomorrow's game against Bolton despite the return of Arsenal's former first-choice keeper Jens Lehmann from injury. Fans are beginning to question whether Lehmann has a place at the club any more, as Wenger has completely left him out of the squad, keeping Lukasz Fabianski as the second choice goalkeeper.

"Jens Lehmann played very well for Germany," Wenger told Arsenal.com. "But Almunia will play against Bolton. He must be patient and fight for his place.

"Patience is not his best quality and Jens will fight every day to be back in the team but I have three world class keepers here now.

"In our job you must always fight hard and be able to cope with any situation that you deal with.

"At the moment he must be strong enough to deal with it."

Eduardo da Silva, arguably Arsenal's biggest Summer signing, is set to take Robin van Persie's place for the Bolton clash, after the Dutchman was injured in the Netherland's midweek win over Slovenia.

The Brazilian-born Croat will have to play well to keep his spot when van Persie returns, as Emmanuel Adebayor and van Persie have both been in fine form of late. Theo Walcott is also slated to get a chance as a central striker, but Nicklas Bendtner will be disappointed to find that he will not play alongside Adebayor in van Persie's absence.

"Eduardo, it could be time for him,” said Wenger at a Friday press conference. “He has started very well.

"He is certainly intelligent enough to fit into the side, Walcott will too. Walcott will get a chance in this position because I feel now he is ready to play through the middle.

"We are in October and Theo has already played a part. He made a big impact last time he came on and you know things change quickly. In football you have always to be ready, and it’s a good opportunity for him as well, not only for Eduardo. If he is strong, he will play.

"Bendtner will [play] as well, but he is more in Adebayor’s position than someone to play with Adebayor."

Arsenal vs. Bolton: Match Preview

Click here for the Match Review

First-placed Arsenal will take on struggling Bolton Wanderers this Saturday, only three days after Sammy Lee parted ways with the second-from-bottom club. Bolton, who finished sixth in the Premiership last season, find themselves in an early relegation battle, having picked up only five points from nine games this season. Arsenal on the other hand are riding a wave of ten consecutive wins in all competitions and will hope that their brilliant form continues despite the international break last weekend.

With former Gunner Nicolas Anelka (who has been Bolton's only bright spot this season) searching for an exit, the future looks grim for Sam Allardyce's future side. Under Big Sam the club played a brand of football which contrasted starkly with Arsene Wenger's quick passing game. The long balls and crosses from the wings seemed to work against most teams and caused quite a bit of trouble for Arsenal last season. However, under Sammy Lee (and now in the care of Archie Knox) the club have become much less of a threat.

Arsenal nearly have a full-strength squad for the clash with Robin van Persie the only major player missing due to injury. The Dutchman picked up a knee injury in the Netherlands midweek win over Slovenia. Philippe Senderos also picked up a back injury and is likely to be back in two weeks. However, with the return of William Gallas, he probably would've missed the match anyways. Other returning players include Jens Lehmann, Tomas Rosicky, and Eduardo.

The return of Lehmann may cause a selection headache for Arsene Wenger. Manuel Almunia deputized well during Lehmann's absence, picking up five clean sheets prior to the 3-2 win over Sunderland. However, Lehmann put in a good performance for Germany during the inernational break, and will be pushing for the number one spot. Personally, I think that Lehmann should start the game, because he is far better at dealing with crosses than Almunia. I have written before that I always support Lehmann over Almunia, but in this case in particular we need someone who can make good decisions. Unfortunately, I'm thinking that Wenger may opt to play Almunia.

In front of goal we see the return of William Gallas, bolstering our back line. He should start alongside the familiar triplet of Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, and Gael Clichy. Let's hope our returning captain can keep fellow Frenchman Anelka in check.

Wenger will have more headaches in the midfield, with Cesc Fabregas the only sure starter. Mathieu Flamini's form makes it likely that he will be chosen over Gilberto in the holding midfield spot, despite the Brazilian's international play this week. Alex Hleb and Tomas Rosicky are the most likely players to complete Arsenal's four man midfield, but other options could include Abou Diaby, Lassana Diarra, Emmanuel Eboue, or even Theo Walcott.

An interesting option would be to play a 4-5-1 with Alex Hleb playing in the hole as he did (to great effect) in Arsenal's pre-season games. However, it is more likely that Eduardo will start up front alongside in-form Emmanuel Adebayor. Nicklas Bendnter will also be looking to get in on the action now that van Persie is out of the picture. He will probably start on the bench and look to grab some minutes towards the end of the match.

Arsenal shouldn't have too much trouble beating a down-in-the-dumps Bolton side, but we will have to watch out for Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman has scored five goals this season already and will be looking for more against his former club. However, Arsenal's central defense pair of William Gallas and Kolo Toure should be able to handle the sulk, even in the air.

I predict a 2-0 win for the Gunners, extending our winning streak to eleven games and keeping us at the top of the table. I'm not too worried about this game... it's Robin van Persie's injury that troubles me. We need the Dutchman for next Sunday's clash against Liverpool, but he is unlikely to be fit by then. For now though, let's just win this game and keep up our brilliant start to the season.

Lehmann Registers Impressive Germany Performance

Under-fire Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made some fine stops to register a clean-sheet, making Germany the first team to qualify for the 2008 European Championships after a 0-0 draw with Ireland.

The German keeper needed to play well this week to even be considered for Arsenal's clash with Bolton on the 20th, and his performance will certainly make Arsene Wenger do some thinking. Unfortunately, the yellow card he picked up for time wasting means that he will miss Wednesday's game against the Czech Republic - and a second chance to prove himself.

However, Lehmann and the German national team coaching staff are both confident that his performance against Ireland was enough to ensure that he will start for the club next week.

"Why would Arsene Wenger not have reason to play me?," Lehmann said. "I played well and on that fact I am ready to play for Arsenal again."

German manager, Joachim Löw was full of praise for the veteran shot-stopper.

"Jens was flawless and he was a solid backbone" Löw said.

"The way he dominated his area was excellent and he picked up a few balls for us off the line.

"Even when he is under discussion he has nerves of steel, looks positive and can concentrate when needed."

Former Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff also backed Lehmann for a club start.

After the game he said, "If anyone saw how well he played, I can't imagine he will sit on the bench at Arsenal for much longer, he played like he has never been injured this season"

I hope that Wenger follows the advice of the Germans, because as I've said before, I don't trust Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal.