Bolton v Arsenal

Justin Hoyte has reacted to the ongoing row over Arsenal's reliance on foreign players by claiming he feels no extra pressure as one of just two English regulars.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has frequently come under fire for the number of imports at the Emirates Stadium, with Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson the most recent critic.

Gibson responded to England's 1-0 defeat by Spain last week by accusing managers like Wenger of failing the national side - a claim the Frenchman has vigorously refuted.

But Hoyte, who along with Theo Walcott is the only established Englishman in the Gunners squad, has no issue with Arsenal's selection policy.

``I don't feel any pressure on my shoulders. We're all here to do the same job, and that's win football matches,'' he told Arsenal TV Online.

``Whether the players are English or foreign, everyone who puts on an Arsenal shirt wants to perform for the club.

``You only realise who is foreign when players go away for international duty. The fans are fully behind me and Theo.

``We are English boys, so the fans back us fully and give us great support - as does the manager.''

Hoyte may be English - but that has not prevented him from joining the dancing craze which has swept through the Emirates Stadium.

The 22-year-old right-back celebrated his first goal for the club - in the 4-0 triumph over Charlton last month - by performing a jig on the sidelines.

Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor have also been happy to show their dancing skills, but Hoyte insists there would only be one winner in a competition.

``It was a fantastic feeling and a magical experience to score my first goal for Arsenal,'' he said.

``I was an Arsenal kid from a young age, and all I wanted to do was to play for the club. But to score was extra special, particularly in front of my family and girlfriend.

``The way I celebrated showed how much it meant to me. Something came out of me, and once I'd calmed down I did a little dance - which I always said I'd do if I scored.

Henry and Jens Lehman will be rested for Wednesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay at Bolton, but Alexander Hleb and Freddie Ljungberg return to the squad after spells in the treatment room.

Arsenal have lost on their last three trips to the Reebok Stadium, and Hoyte admitted it has become a difficult place to visit.

``It's going to be a very touch game at Bolton. We've found it difficult against them no matter what the competition has been,'' he said.

``Bolton are a very good, tough side. But we'll work hard and, we hope, come away with a result.

``Arsenal find it difficult to get a victory at the Reebok Stadium. People say how `long ball' and physical they are - but they play good football too.''

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, has seen his side's chances of booking a Saturday lunchtime local derby with Blackburn hampered by the loss of key duo Kevin Davies and Abdoulaye Faye.

While Davies was always expected to miss out with an ankle injury, Faye's absence following a minor operation to remove an abscess is a major blow, leaving Allardyce to cross his fingers that fellow central defender Abdoulaye Meite overcomes a calf problem.

``It is a bit frustrating because I would have liked to have had the opportunity to work with the team and give them a little refresher in terms of what we should be doing,'' said Allardyce.

``Unfortunately, that has not been the case. We have not been able to do any contact training because we were too worried about picking up any more injuries.''

via soccer365