Arsenal face FA Cup trip to bogey side Bolton

LONDON, Feb 12 (Reuters) No love will be lost between Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal when they meet for a Valentine's Day FA Cup replay at the Reebok Stadium on Wednesday.

A fifth round tie at home to Blackburn Rovers this weekend is the prize awaiting the winner of what will be a tough, physical encounter that has plenty of recent history.

Though they are a much smaller club by reputation, Bolton thrashed Arsenal 3-1 at the Reebok in November and have won four of their last five home games against Arsene Wenger's side.

The misery Sam Allardyce's side have inflicted on Wenger over the years also includes a 2-2 draw in April 2003 which effectively scuppered Arsenal's title campaign.

More recently, Bolton were set to inflict Arsenal's first defeat at the Emirates Stadium until Ivorian defender Kolo Toure cancelled out Kevin Nolan's strike with a 78th minute equaliser.

Aside from the FA Cup, the two clubs are also duelling for a fourth-place finish at the end of the season, worth a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

Bolton occupied the prized slot for two and a half hours yesterday after beating Fulham 2-1, only for Arsenal to wrest it back with a late 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic.

Cup action gets underway tomorrow with two other fourth round replays, with Middlesbrough at home to third division Bristol City after a shock draw at Ashton Gate.

Second division Norwich City are at home to third division hopefuls Blackpool.

Boro, beaten for the first time in 2007 in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Chelsea, should make no mistake a second time and would line up another winnable home tie with second division West Bromwich Albion.

GREAT WEEK ''We've got a great week to look forward to,'' manager Gareth Southgate told the Boro Web site (www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk).

''It will be a tough game against Bristol but one we feel we can win and that would keep things very lively for the rest of the season.'' Bristol City coach Gary Johnson had little to celebrate either at the weekend and gave his men a dressing down after their 1-1 home draw with Huddersfield.

But he told the club's Web site (www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk): ''It will be a totally different scenario up there.

''We certainly don't want to be on the end of a hiding, even by Premiership opposition, so we have to improve.'' Whoever comes out on top between Norwich and Blackpool is unlikely to have much of a run. The winners must travel to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League champions Chelsea.

The final is due to be played at the new Wembley Stadium on May 19.

REUTERS DH PM0957