Arsenal v. Bolton 4-2 20/Jan/10

The exact moment of polemic.
[Photo: Rebecca Naden/PA via Guardian]


BOLTON DOUBLE FEATURE: PART TWO


Again, in the final outcome of the double feature against Coyle's new team the Gunners assured yet another win to climb top of the Premier, just right ahead of Man Utd, who are one of the following teams in the fixture list. The Londoners suffered during extended periods of the match and for nearly 50 minutes were in a deficit of two goals, which they corageoulsy reverted to double the Bolton's original scoreline. With the players focused, another "Liege night" was avoided from what could have been a detrimental dump in the chase of the title.
Regarding TV coverage, the match was not broadcasted in the UK thus, many Gooners had to rely on dismal links and streams to watch the game in its entirety. I found my own way to watch the game with some links that were broken and although the quality of the stream was hilarious, I grasped a vast majority of the game with the aid of some match-casts, such as the one in Arseblog.



Returning Cesc on the scoresheet.
[Photo: Mirror football]


Just before Cahill grabbed the early lead in the seventh minute, strikes from Arshavin and Diaby went through the busy Trotter midfield. The lead, was consummated after a series of flops and distractions into a rather scrappy Arsenal defence. Three defenders let Davies head the ball back to Cahill, who finished opposite to Almunia's direction. In spite of the psychological blow that the early goal offered, Rosicky coupled with Arshavin to provide Fábregas with an excellent opportunity in front of Jääskeläinen.
As the minutes passed the Wanderers gained confidence and in the 34th, through Taylor, they doubled their lead with a penalty kick: Denilson harshly took Lee Chung-Yong off guard and the penalty was awarded. A dream and a nightmare for both sides and the match was moving into its critical phase.
Arsenal's efforts increased when Eduardo took a weak shot and Gallas headed to the crossbar just before Rosicky lighted the thin ray of hope for the comeback. Cesc held the ferocious mark to set the Czech in the right edge of the box: the following shot was a violent break through and the only way for the home team to narrow the lead.



The moment of the alleged tackle.
[Photo: Robin Jones/Digital South via Daily Mail]


In the following forty-five minutes, the Gunners assured themselves another brave achievement: three goals and a superb display were the outcome of the difficult yet entertaining match. Memories of the Liege game came into mind as another scrappy goal was produced in the midst of the polemic: Fábregas scored his 11th goal of the season past the legs of Jääskeläinen in the 52th. William Gallas deliberately fouled Davies: the Bolton player had to be substituted since the foul by Gallas showed the studs wide open.
Thirteen minutes from Cesc's goal, Vermaelen had the chance to give the Gunners the lead as they piled more pressure on Bolton. A tremendous and ferocious shot after a tight control inside the box was the final touch for what appeared to be the winner. With some acrobatics from the Belgian international captain, Arsenal managed to get several corners.
The visitors regained some control and won nearly every challenge in the air. Eastmond replaced the injured Diaby to enjoy his second ever game in an Arsenal shirt. Whether there was a sense of discouragement of Bolton, the efforts were getting dangerous by the minute. Another dodgy finish and with the aid of Bolton's defence, Arshavin scored to give Arsenal the two goal lead four minutes from the final whistle.