Arsenal vs Bolton: Preview, Prediction, Lineup & How to watch on TV

Arsenal are in midweek action again as they begin their Carabao Cup journey against League One outfit Bolton on Wednesday night.

The Gunners can take great encouragement from their weekend's work in Manchester despite John Stones snatching a late point for the champions. Mikel Arteta's side came within seconds of securing their first win at the Etihad since Pep Guardiola took charge having played the entire second half with ten men following Leandro Trossard's dismissal on the stroke of half-time.

With success in the Premier League and Champions League far from guaranteed, Mikel Arteta would be wise to take the domestic cups seriously and Arsenal have as good a chance as anyone to go all the way in the Carabao Cup.

They should be able to enjoy a stress-free evening on Wednesday against third-tier Bolton. The Trotters are no longer the physical route one outfit that once haunted the Gunners, with Ian Evatt taking a young squad to the Emirates in midweek.

Evatt's side have endured a tough start to the League One season having lost in the play-off final last time out. Bolton are currently 18th in the table, but they did thump Reading 5-2 at the weekend.

Join us for our Arsenal vs Bolton preview, which features key information such as team news, predicted lineups, guidance on how to watch this Carabao Cup third-round tie on TV and an inevitably correct score prediction.

Arsenal vs Bolton: Preview, Prediction, Lineup & How to watch on TV

What time does Arsenal vs Bolton Kick-Off?

• When is kick-off? Wednesday 25 September, 2024
• What time is kick-off? 19:45 (BST)
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium, London
• Referee: Joshua Smith

Arsenal vs Bolton Head-to-Head Record

Arsenal used to detest trips to Bolton, especially when Sam Allardyce was lurking around. Much has changed since those days, though, with these two clubs last facing off in 2012. The Gunners were held to a stalemate on their last visit to Bolton, but they've won the previous three meeting at the Emirates with some conviction.

Is Arsenal vs Bolton on TV?

This is a game that previously would've been televised in the UK, with Sky Sports showing one game per evening. However, Arsenal's game on Wednesday will be shown on the all-new Sky Sports+. Paramount+ once again has Carabao Cup rights over in the US, while DAZN is your avenue in Canada.

Arsenal Team News

There's going to be wholesale changes to Arteta's starting lineup on Wednesday, and we should see a couple of Hale End graduates in action.

Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are certainties to come into the team for their first senior starts, and we could also see Ayden Heaven in the starting XI. Heaven earned minutes in pre-season and is an option for the boss at centre-back.

Raheem Sterling is in contention for their first start for the club, but Arteta won't be able to call upon Leandro Trossard after his red card on Sunday. Neto's cup-tied having already appeared for Bournemouth in the competition, while Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kiernan Tierney are out injured.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Bolton: Raya; White, Heaven, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Nwaneri, S Oulad M'Hand; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli.

Bolton team news

Former Arsenal academy star Jordi Osei-Tutu is set to miss out on Wednesday due to a knee injury. The 25-year-old, who never made a senior appearance for the club, is sidelined alongside Carlos Mendes Gomes, Klaidi Lolos, Gethin Jones and Will Forrester.

Forrester broke a toe and dislocated another after falling down the stairs in a freak accident.

Evatt won't be expected to make many changes to the team that thrashed Reading on Saturday, but former Premier League midfielder Scott Arfield could return to the XI.

Predicted Bolton lineup vs Arsenal: Southwood; Toal, Johnston, Santos; Dacres-Cogley, Thomason, Arfield, Dempsey, Schon; Adeboyejo, Charles.

Arsenal vs Bolton Score Prediction

The hosts are going to rotate and rotate heavily, with chances set to be given to several academy stars. A couple are already manifested their comfort at the highest level, and they should be at ease on Wednesday. They'll also be complemented by several experienced heads.

Thus, you've got to expect Arteta's side to cruise here. Arsenal have generally struggled in this competition under the Spaniard, but they shouldn't have any issues advancing into the fourth round here given that they're on home soik. Bolton are better than their 18th-place standing in League One, but they're not good enough to stun the Gunners on this one.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Bolton

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