Coyle wary of 'elite' Arsenal as problems of his own mount

Owen Coyle is convinced Arsenal will finish in the top four despite their woeful start to the season.

The Gunners head into tomorrow's encounter with Bolton at the Emirates Stadium hovering dangerously over the relegation zone, with just four points to their name.

A first home league loss to Bolton since 1962 would turf Arsène Wenger's men into the drop zone yet Coyle has no doubt Arsenal's present problems will have been resolved before the campaign reaches its climax. "Arsenal are an elite club," said the Scot. "They are still going to figure in the top four. If anything, they will be more dangerous, as they are looking to get up and running."

There are similarities between Coyle and Wenger at present. Both suffer from heightened expectations among their club's fans due to standards they have set and both are now under pressure.

Coyle added: "I have had seven years as a manager, during which the trajectory has always been upward. The same people are saying things now who have previously been complimentary – the only way to rectify it is win your games."