Arsenal 2- 0 Bolton

October 22, 2007 on 8:30 am | In Arsenal FC | posted by Ryan |

Sod’s law inevitably meant my internet decided to stop working over the weekend, delaying my first Block19.com post – an omen perhaps?!  Anyway, better late than never….

Before the game on Saturday (the last Saturday 3pm kick-off before Christmas!) I felt slightly less hatred towards Bolton than has been the case in recent years – I mean, they’re propping up the foot of the table, Fat Sam’s gone, Anelka was out injured and that horrible b*****d Faye has been sold.  But by half-time, I realised that was a massive misjudgement and they are still the biggest bunch of cheating, kicking cloggers around.  How have they managed to fit so many hated players into just one team? (Stand up Kevin Davies, El-Hadji Diouf, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo, Stelios etc.)

It seemed a fairly flat atmosphere in the south lower to match the game for much of the first half, with neither keeper having to make a save.  We had a few nearly-but-not-quite moments, which was a lot more than Bolton could muster.  Personally I came into the ground feeling slightly subdued after watching Liverpool take 3 points with a last minute penalty (and then celebrating it like they had actually won the league…..)  This was obviously stupid, as we were still top and therefore should just worry about winning our games.  Anyhow, the game got a much needed kick up the arse towards the end of the 1^st half when a series of savage tackles started flying in.  In keeping with the recent trend, our boys kicked back when Bolton started playing dirty, with Cesc in particular treading on thin ice when dishing out some punishment shortly after picking up a yellow card.

The second half started with Eboue blazing a shot wide when the ball fell to him in the box, before the usual stragglers had returned to their seats (including the six people to my left – nice one).  We still weren’t clicking as we have in recent weeks, with Ade and Eduardo in particular not linking up well.  Even so, we were by far the better team at all points yesterday, Bolton really were crap – I can’t remember Blondie making a single save?  Certainly no brown trouser moments.

In a drastic break from the traditional 70^th minute sub, Wenger made a double change after 62 minutes bringing on Theo and Super Tom for Eboue and Eduardo.  Immediately we began to look more dangerous, with Theo’s pace in particular being used to good effect.  A long range Cesc strike was straight at the keeper and Ade wasted chances after being put through twice, before the break through finally came in the 68^th minute from a free kick around 30 yards out.  I could see Kolo lining it up, and instantly knew exactly what would happen – a tap across, followed by an opposing player chasing it down before Kolo can fire a shot away, as has happened countless times before.  Actually, not this time – it was actually a tap across, someone else trapping the ball before Kolo sent a powerful drive accurately into the bottom corner through a crowd of players!  Cue a feeling of relief, firstly that we were on our way to three points, and secondly that Bolton finally got what they deserved. 

12 minutes later our super subs finished the job off when Hleb (who played more central after the subs) fired a tough pass through to Theo on the right, who did extremely well to control it, shield it, and then create the space to cross into the six yard box.  Rosicky had made a great darting run into space inside the six yard box, and met the cross with a Pires-esq finish.  A great goal, and please please please Tomas can you stay injury free for a decent length of time?!  A fit and confident Tomas will be a big boost for our chances in all competitions, as will Theo if he continues to show the sort of form he showed Saturday afternoon.  Late on an incredible Clichy run took him past about six Bolton players before he went down in the box – as I was at the other end of the pitch it was impossible to see whether it should have been a penalty, although crowd and player reaction suggested it was a decent shout.  Clichy actually had a really good game, taking Kevin Davies to the cleaners a couple of times.  Given a straight choice between Cashley and Gael at the moment I know who I’d choose.

So, three points despite not slotting into top gear – just as crucial to a successful league campaign as destroying teams 4-0 with free-flowing football.  Roll on Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 62), Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb (Diaby 89), Eduardo (Rosicky 62), Adebayor. Subs not used: Fabianski, Gilberto.

Goals: Toure 68, Rosicky 80.