Nolan: We're no bullies, Wenger
KEVIN NOLAN claims Bolton are fed up with their bully-boy reputation. Nolan scored the opener against Arsenal in their FA Cup fourth-round clash at the Emirates on Sunday before Arsene WengerÂ’s team forced a replay.
The Gunners have won only once in their last eight encounters with Bolton. Many put that down to Wanderers’ tough playing style but skipper Nolan hates that tag. The midfielder, 24, said: “Against Arsenal, we always get the beauty and the beast thing mentioned. “But we play football and people don’t give us the credit we deserve.
“The goal I scored, set up by Nicolas Anelka and Kevin Davies, was one worthy of Arsenal but no one mentions that. “It’s not just against Arsenal. We do it against a lot of teams — not so long ago we did it to Manchester United.
“Take nothing away from Arsenal, they play absolutely amazing football at times but I thought we were different class. “They have got Henry, Adebayor and Fabregas and they are coming at you wave after wave — but we dealt with it.”
Gael Clichy insists Arsenal’s kids will never give up. The Gunners have come from behind to get a result 12 times this season — with 10 of those being at the Emirates. That record survived thanks to Kolo Toure’s late equaliser against Bolton on Sunday. And left-back Clichy, 21, said: “We’ve shown everyone that even if we are far behind against Manchester United or Bolton — who are not the best team for us — we can come back. It shows the spirit and the character in the team.”
Arsenal, who host Tottenham in the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final tomorrow, now face a fixture pile-up. WengerÂ’s men make a ValentineÂ’s Day trip to the Reebok for the replay with Bolton and then return to Champions League action six days later against PSV Eindhoven.
With injuries to the likes of William Gallas, Robin van Persie, Freddie Ljungberg and Julio Baptista, Arsenal’s resources could be pushed to the limit. But skipper Thierry Henry is not worried about how the youngsters will cope with the pressure. He said: “You have to say these boys are really starting to do it and it’s exciting for the club. “You can’t call them reserves any more, we just have a bigger first-team squad to choose from now.”
Arsenal have reached an agreement with French club Chateauroux to buy 15-year-old wonderkid Gilles Sunu when the striker turns 16 this year. Chateauroux chairman Patrick Totingnon said: “We’ve agreed everything and Gilles will sign for Arsenal in a few months.” The Gunners are also in for Strasbourg midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 17, but face competition from Chelsea.
arsenal always find it difficult to cope with bolton's agressive style of play
wow! new wonderkids. gotta check 'em out in my FM; but i don't think they'll appear on my database. LOL!
anyway, arsenal's pretty 'sisi-fied.' LOL!