The infamous game in hand finally arrives against a Bolton side in limbo.

Fate has decided that a game originally scheduled for the balmy months of the beginning of the season will come in the middle of the ‘big freeze’ and just after Bolton sack Gary Megson. Owen Coyle is on the verge of joining Bolton so the players will have the added motivation to impress their new manager.

Given the weather, Bolton’s away support will be even more flimsy than usual but those that make it south will be buoyed by the board’s decision to sack one of the most unpopular managers in the club’s history. The most common criticism of Megson was that he had Bolton playing unattractive football, which seems odd given the admiration Sam Allardyce still receives at the Reebok. The appointment of former player Coyle will appease the fans but it will be interesting to see if he tries to transform their playing style immediately given Kevin Davies and friends will still be around.

Bolton’s problems should be a side note at the Grove tonight though, given the importance of the match. Wenger has stated that it marks the beginning of the title race and we can go just a point behind Chelsea ahead of the weekend’s fixtures which is remarkable given the injury problems we’ve had.

Apparently Niklas Bendtner is in danger of missing another two months because of a recurrence of a groin injury which would surely push Wenger into the transfer market. Carlton Cole has been muted as a possible target which seems realistic given his talent and West Ham’s financial situation but he has also been suffering with injury problems. The manager has all but ruled out a move for Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh in January after a prolonged pursuit in the summer so even though he has admitted he will need a striker if Bendtner is ruled out, there is not an obvious candidate.

Fortunately Eduardo, although not playing brilliantly, has rediscovered his scoring touch and is more than capable of leading the line as long as those around him can get the ball to him in the box. He will most likely be joined by Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin in attack tonight with Denilson replacing Song in defensive midfield and in-form duo Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby playing in the centre.

It is a strong attacking line-up and proves the strength in depth considering the number of players we have absent. There are areas of concern though, such as our lack of back up in the defensive midfield and centre back positions and the poor quality of our goalkeepers. If Wenger’s comments are to be believed we will not strengthen in these positions which seems odd, particularly when considering our total reliance on William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen, which was highlighted when both played in the FA Cup despite our gruelling schedule.

Tonight should see three points added to our tally but Wenger will be keen for the players to build up an early advantage in the match to give him the opportunity to rest tired legs ahead of the visit of Everton on Saturday. League winning teams of the past picked up the habit of surging into 3-0 leads within the first half an hour of home matches against weaker opposition so it would be a welcome sign to see the same again in this crucial period.

Prediction: 4-0 to the Arse.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters