Megson takes a swipe at Wenger ahead of Emirates clash

This is a guest post by sportswriter Thomas Rooney

Arsenal take on Bolton at the Emirates tomorrow and it has to be said that you’d do well to find two teams that adopt such different approaches to try and win a game of football.

As we all know, Arsenal like to pass the ball around, wow the viewing public with their flair, skill and passing ability. Bolton on the other hand, prefer a more ‘direct’ style of play. To put it politely.

Megson is angry about Arsene's complaints

This notion has got Bolton manager Gary Megson talking ahead of the weekend’s game as he claims that whenever his team face Arsenal, it is always ‘overshadowed’ by Arsene Wenger being unhappy about something.

In the past, Wenger has criticised Bolton’s physical nature and unique style of play, but more recently it was a tackle by Kevin Davies on Gael Clichy back in September that had the Frenchman riled. It wasn’t a pretty challenge by any means, but Megson believes that Wenger overreacted to the incident.

‘My players call it “in yer face” football and, yes, we try to get in everybody’s face, but always in a fair manner.’

The former West Brom boss says that too much ‘fuss’ was made over the situation by the Arsenal camp. He also claims that his coaching team produced much less moaning when Abou Diaby was sent off last season for a ‘shocking’ foul on Bolton striker Gretar Steinsson.

My feeling on this is that both managers should accept the way that the other operates. Wenger will try and get his side playing decent football and will probably enjoy a good moan if things don’t go his way and Megson will be happy for his side to be ‘firm’ in the tackle and will defend his players whatever the circumstance. In this sense, the pair aren’t that different, so this bickering seems a little pointless.

As for the game itself, well it presents an opportunity for Arsenal to confirm the fact that they have found some form. They are unbeaten in their last six league games and this needs to continue for a number of weeks yet. Three points tomorrow is an absolute must as Megson’s side are struggling right now.

Bolton may well find themselves in respectable position in the league – they sit 11th – but they have lost five of their last six games and are showing signs of being dragged right back into the relegation mire before long. Arsenal can exaggerate their worries by serving them with a crushing defeat at the Emirates. Something that an early goal could just about guarantee.

In terms of the team news, it isn’t great news for Arsenal. Defensive duo William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre are set to be sidelined for at least three weeks and they will miss tomorrow’s game. Kolo Toure could return to go some way to making up for this though after suffering with a groin problem recently.

By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting