OMEN
01-10-2009, 10:20 PM
Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner came off the bench to fire a late winner as Arsenal finally ended Bolton's stubborn resistance at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had dominated possession, but failed to unlock the visitors, who put 10 men behind the ball.
However, just when time looked to be running out, Bendtner arrived at the far post to volley in a first goal since November and renew hopes Arsene Wenger's men can force their way back into the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
Following Aston Villa's win over West Brom, the Gunners were again playing catch up on the top four, but moved level on points with Manchester United - who host Chelsea tomorrow, and already have two games in hand.
It was a bright start by Arsenal as a light fog descended on the Emirates.
On 12 minutes, Samir Nasri picked out Robin van Persie on the penalty spot - who flicked the ball up and sent a first-time snapshot just over.
A mix-up between Kolo Toure - returning to captain the side following injury and rumours of a training-ground bust-up which led to a transfer request - and keeper Manuel Almunia on the edge of the Arsenal area almost let in Johan Elmander.
But Johan Djourou was alert enough to clear the loose ball.
The home side were soon back on the offensive, with Andrew O'Brien heading out a cross from Van Persie as Emmanuel Adebayor - the African Player of the Year - loitered with intent in the six-yard box.
Bolton, who named only three outfield players on the bench, continued to offer little in way of an attacking threat, with only Elmander deployed in the Arsenal half in a very deep 4-5-1, and the Trotters failed to deal with a left-wing free-kick after Denilson had been fouled by Davies.
The ball dropped for Van Persie at the edge of the box, but his volley flew just over.
On 38 minutes, Bolton were forced into a change when Elmander limped off and, eventually, Mustapha Riga came on and Kevin Davies moved into attack.
Arsenal continued to press, but were unable to unlock the wall of white shirts which surrounded the visitors' penalty area.
At the start of the second half, Van Persie weaved his way to the goal line on the right, and forced an early corner. However, the delivery to the near post was poor and Bolton cleared.
Arsenal had claims for a penalty waved away when Jlloyd Samuel controlled the ball with what looked like a combination of shoulder and chest.
Gunners keeper Almunia was finally called into action on 53 minutes when Matthew Taylor looped a header goalwards after a deep ball into the box from the right.
The home side continued to camp out in the Bolton half, but lacked the flair to open up the back four.
Gael Clichy's run and cross from the left fell to Adebayor, but although the big African turned his marker, the shot lacked power and easily gathered by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
A golden chance then fell to Adebayor as he was picked out in the right side of the penalty area by a superb slide-rule pass from Nasri.
However, the Togo forward took too long setting up the shot, and O'Brien made a magnificent block.
It seemed as though it was just not Arsenal's day as, on 70 minutes, Van Persie weaved his way into the area and stabbed the ball past the keeper - only for it to rebound off the post.
Toure's long-range effort was saved at full stretch by Jaaskelainen as Arsenal continued to press before Gavin McCann was booked for persistent fouling and Emmanuel Eboue was replaced by Arsenal striker Bendtner, whose first touch almost produced a goal from a downward header.
Bolton sent on Temitope Obadeyi for substitute Riga - who stormed off down the tunnel - in a bizarre tactical switch by manager Gary Megson.
The visitors' resistance was finally broken with six minutes left when Van Persie floated the ball over from the left and Bendtner arrived at the far post to volley it under Jaaskelainen.
RTE
The Gunners had dominated possession, but failed to unlock the visitors, who put 10 men behind the ball.
However, just when time looked to be running out, Bendtner arrived at the far post to volley in a first goal since November and renew hopes Arsene Wenger's men can force their way back into the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
Following Aston Villa's win over West Brom, the Gunners were again playing catch up on the top four, but moved level on points with Manchester United - who host Chelsea tomorrow, and already have two games in hand.
It was a bright start by Arsenal as a light fog descended on the Emirates.
On 12 minutes, Samir Nasri picked out Robin van Persie on the penalty spot - who flicked the ball up and sent a first-time snapshot just over.
A mix-up between Kolo Toure - returning to captain the side following injury and rumours of a training-ground bust-up which led to a transfer request - and keeper Manuel Almunia on the edge of the Arsenal area almost let in Johan Elmander.
But Johan Djourou was alert enough to clear the loose ball.
The home side were soon back on the offensive, with Andrew O'Brien heading out a cross from Van Persie as Emmanuel Adebayor - the African Player of the Year - loitered with intent in the six-yard box.
Bolton, who named only three outfield players on the bench, continued to offer little in way of an attacking threat, with only Elmander deployed in the Arsenal half in a very deep 4-5-1, and the Trotters failed to deal with a left-wing free-kick after Denilson had been fouled by Davies.
The ball dropped for Van Persie at the edge of the box, but his volley flew just over.
On 38 minutes, Bolton were forced into a change when Elmander limped off and, eventually, Mustapha Riga came on and Kevin Davies moved into attack.
Arsenal continued to press, but were unable to unlock the wall of white shirts which surrounded the visitors' penalty area.
At the start of the second half, Van Persie weaved his way to the goal line on the right, and forced an early corner. However, the delivery to the near post was poor and Bolton cleared.
Arsenal had claims for a penalty waved away when Jlloyd Samuel controlled the ball with what looked like a combination of shoulder and chest.
Gunners keeper Almunia was finally called into action on 53 minutes when Matthew Taylor looped a header goalwards after a deep ball into the box from the right.
The home side continued to camp out in the Bolton half, but lacked the flair to open up the back four.
Gael Clichy's run and cross from the left fell to Adebayor, but although the big African turned his marker, the shot lacked power and easily gathered by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
A golden chance then fell to Adebayor as he was picked out in the right side of the penalty area by a superb slide-rule pass from Nasri.
However, the Togo forward took too long setting up the shot, and O'Brien made a magnificent block.
It seemed as though it was just not Arsenal's day as, on 70 minutes, Van Persie weaved his way into the area and stabbed the ball past the keeper - only for it to rebound off the post.
Toure's long-range effort was saved at full stretch by Jaaskelainen as Arsenal continued to press before Gavin McCann was booked for persistent fouling and Emmanuel Eboue was replaced by Arsenal striker Bendtner, whose first touch almost produced a goal from a downward header.
Bolton sent on Temitope Obadeyi for substitute Riga - who stormed off down the tunnel - in a bizarre tactical switch by manager Gary Megson.
The visitors' resistance was finally broken with six minutes left when Van Persie floated the ball over from the left and Bendtner arrived at the far post to volley it under Jaaskelainen.
RTE