Coyle leaps to Wenger's defence

Four draws from their last five games have hurt Arsenal's hopes of surpassing Manchester United and some supporters have expressed their frustration with Wenger as they near the end of what would be a sixth successive season without a trophy. Coyle said: "They're six points behind Manchester United with Manchester United still to play. Arsenal have shown before that they'll be in the mix and I've got no doubts they've got a fantastic chance of winning the league. "If I wasn't a football manager and someone said who would you go and watch, I would watch Arsenal every week because I love the way they play and the quality of the players they have. "Arsene Wenger is, always has been and always will be a truly outstanding manager, one of the best managers in world football. "We've had our arguments along the way but that goes without saying because he's passionate about his team and I am about mine, but you can never doubt the quality of Arsene Wenger as a manager and the teams he's built after he's lost big players year in and year out." Bolton in many ways seem unlikely allies given Wenger has in the past been a strong critic of the Trotters' style of play but the relationship has improved since Coyle took over last season. The Frenchman's frustrations will also have been eased by an improvement in fortunes against Bolton, who were a bogey team for Arsenal for many years but have lost their last nine games against Wenger's side. The change in relationship was emphasised last year by Wenger's decision to loan prize youngster Jack Wilshere to Bolton. The move paid off handsomely, with the teenager gaining valuable first-team experience, and he returns to the Reebok Stadium for the first time with the Gunners as a full England international and having just been voted Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year. Coyle said: "He's coming on the back of winning his Young Player of the Year award, which was well earned and we're delighted for him. Outside his qualities as a footballer, he's an outstanding young man, and somebody I've got a lot of time for. "But he knows for the duration of the match we'll be doing everything we can to try to win the game and stop him showing his quality. It'll be great to see him, but that'll be after the game." The most important thing for Coyle on Sunday is that Bolton put in a good performance and start to bury the memory of last weekend's 5-0 thrashing by Stoke in the FA Cup semi-finals. The Scot has made no attempt to hide the pain and disappointment of their Sunday afternoon at Wembley and he believes Arsenal's visit could be just what the doctor ordered. He said: "I don't want any of the supporters to think that after the game the players didn't think about the match or they weren't hurt or disappointed. Of course they were. "It was a great opportunity but it's passed us by and we can't affect that now. What we can affect is what's to come. The target is the same as last year, to finish as high up the table as we can. "As horrible as last Sunday was, I wished there was a game on the Monday. There wasn't and we've had to wait a week and now we have to make sure that when it comes about we're ready to go. I believe it's a very good game for us to play."