ALLARDYCE READY FOR GUNNERS BATTLE

Sam Allardyce is expecting Arsene Wenger's Gunners to come out firing at full force as they look to end their wretched run at the Reebok Stadium.

Arsenal have lost on their last three visits to Bolton, including in the Barclays Premiership this season, and know a fourth successive reverse will send them bouncing out of the FA Cup in a fourth-round replay.

Allardyce is convinced Wenger will be doing everything in his power to avoid such a setback, which is why he feels Bolton will be facing a full-strength Arsenal line-up.

"Arsenal have always been lovers of the FA Cup and one of the front-runners in terms of getting to the final, so I think they will want to beat us - and beat us with their best team," said Allardyce.

"We have had some mighty battles against them in recent seasons, and I hope we will come out on top - otherwise the dream of playing at the 'new' Wembley will have gone."

It is the fourth time in as many seasons Bolton have met Arsenal in the FA Cup - with the score currently standing at one win each and one drawn encounter, at the Emirates Stadium last month when Allardyce's men were the better side but found themselves eventually pegged back by Kolo Toure's goal 12 minutes from time.

In theory at least, Bolton's formidable home record against the north London giants should make them favourites to progress.

However, Allardyce is refusing to allow the past to cloud his thoughts.

"I hope Arsenal don't fancy it," he said.

"It would be nice if they felt they had a problem here. It would be a psychological point in our favour.

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