Johan Elmander... Can Gallas shackle the Swede?
Saturday's key battles: Arsenal v Bolton
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Arsenal will be hoping to build on their six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League when they take on perennial spoilers Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. This season Arsenal.com will be identifying the key battles for the game. We will bring you all the statistics and information a fan could need so swot up now and come Saturday you will be impressing anyone who will listen with your new-found knowledge.
Robin van Persie v Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill has emerged as one of England’s brightest central defensive prospects this season but Saturday’s tussle with Robin van Persie will be a real test of his mettle. The in-form Dutchman, who has struck three times in his last two outings, is Arsenal’s top goalscorer with eight and has hit the woodwork three times too. Suprisingly, Cahill matches Van Persie’s three assists and has also managed to find the net on two occasions himself.
| Robin van Persie | Gary Cahill | |
| Appearances | 16 | 16 |
| Minutes played | 1264 | 1440 |
| Assists | 3 | 3 |
| Bookings | 3 | 1 |
| Successful dribbles | 5 | 2 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 3 | 3 |
| Goals scored | 8 | 2 |
| Complete passes | 61 | 66 |
| Incomplete passes | 32 | 38 |
| Shots on target | 25 | 6 |
| Shots off target | 32 | 2 |
| Woodwork struck | 3 | 0 |
| Tackles won | 3 | 6 |
| Tackles lost | 5 | 3 |
Samir Nasri v Gretar Steinsson
Gretar Steinsson has missed only 39 minutes of Bolton’s 20 games so far this season and this consistency has been a major asset to the Trotters. The Icelandic full back has impressed in defence but it’s his contribution in the final third that has been most eye-catching. Steinsson has racked up five assists, three more than Saturday’s opponent Samir Nasri. However, the Frenchman has four goals from his 15 appearances and an impressive 76 per cent success rate in his dribbling.
| Samir Nasri | Gretar Steinsson | |
| Appearances | 15 | 20 |
| Minutes played | 1180 | 1761 |
| Assists | 2 | 5 |
| Clearances | 3 | 33 |
| Successful dribbles | 16 | 4 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 5 | 3 |
| Fouls | 10 | 20 |
| Goals scored | 4 | 2 |
| Complete passes | 63 | 85 |
| Incomplete passes | 36 | 71 |
| Shots on target | 20 | 6 |
| Shots off target | 4 | 6 |
| Tackles lost | 10 | 3 |
| Tackles won | 6 | 11 |
William Gallas v Johan Elmander
After a purple patch in November, Sweden international Johan Elmander has gone slightly off the boil. The striker has just one goal in his last five although it is worth noting that four of his season’s tally were scored on the road. In his way at the Emirates is William Gallas, fresh from securing a vital winner in Arsenal’s last Premier League fixture against Portsmouth. The Frenchman rules the roost in the pass completion, dribbling and tackling stakes but Elmander’s impressive away strike-rate is something he must be aware of.
| William Gallas | Johan Elmander | |
| Appearances | 16 | 16 |
| Minutes played | 1440 | 1245 |
| Clearances | 26 | 0 |
| Successful dribbles | 6 | 3 |
| Unsuccessful dribbles | 2 | 4 |
| Fouls | 6 | 12 |
| Goals scored | 2 | 5 |
| Complete passes | 64 | 55 |
| Incomplete passes | 29 | 39 |
| Shots off target | 5 | 15 |
| Shots on target | 5 | 17 |
| Woodwork struck | 1 | 0 |
| Tackles lost | 4 | 7 |
| Tackles won | 7 | 3 |
[Wednesday, January 07, 2009]
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