Thankfully football won today, but only just. It took Arsenal 85 minutes to break through Bolton's stubborn defence. Bolton never make it easy for Arsenal and today was no exception, the game was heading for a dull 0-0 until substitute Nicklas Bendtner nipped in at the far post to give the Gunners a much-needed win.
It was a bitterly cold day and the game kicked off in a flurry of snow, and gradually the game warmed up even if the conditions didn't.
Arsenal welcomed back Kolo Toure who had been flirting with an Arsenal exit, Diaby partnered Denilson in midfield and Eboue took up the right-wing position.
Bolton were without their dominant captain Kevin Nolan due to suspension, but Kevin Davies, a constant thorn in Arsenal's side over the years started on the right.
Within the first 10 minutes the diminutive Samir Nasri started to pull the strings in midfield, and the in-form Robin Van Persie looked lively upfront.
Van Persie shot just over after controlling a loose ball, and then headed straight at Bolton 'keeper Jussi Jaaskalainen. He then volleyed a ball into row Z, but the Arsenal faithful were confident of the breakthrough.
Bolton offered little of attacking threat, and Arsenal continued to have most of the possession. The visitors continued to stifle the Gunners putting most of their players behind the ball and Kevin Davies became the scapegoat with a few niggly fouls.
The half-ended 0-0, which provided everyone time for a couple of cups of tea to stave off the Arctic conditions.
Arsenal started the second-half brightly but were just finding it difficult to break down the Bolton defence.
Johan Elmander, the Bolton striker, limped down the tunnel and was replaced by Mustafa Riga.
After some quick passing with Adebayor, Van Persie again seemed to make a chance out of nothing as he held off a couple of defenders to toe-poke an effort onto the post.
Wenger sensed he needed to do something, and he brought on Carlos Vela for Abou Diaby who despite playing well in recent games, had had a fairly ineffectual game today.
The crowd, who have warmed to the young Mexican, were suddenly expectant, hoping his pace and directness could give the team something it had been lacking up until now.
They were right, with Nasri now in the centre pulling the strings and Vela and Clichy on the left, Arsenal were suddenly finding more space.
Nasri's exquisite pass let in Adebayor who almost had too much time. Just as he shot a defender lunged in and blocked the ball.
It seemed only a matter of time, but time was running out.
Nicklas Bendtner was brought on in place of Emmanuel Eboue who had one of his better games, to add some height and an extra attacking threat.
He could have scored with his first touch. Nasri floated in a corner and the Dane connected with the ball but not well enough to trouble Jaaskalainen.
Arsenal had Bolton pinned in their box and the pressure finally told. Clichy slipped Van Perise in with a fantastic ball, the Dutchman chipped a cross to the back post and Bendtner slid in to half-colley the ball past Jaaskalainen.
The Dane, who has not had the best of times recently, could not hide his delight.
After all the hard work, Arsenal almost let it slip. Bolton went straight up the other end and created a guilt-edged chance. Chris Basham raced down the right and pulled the ball back to Kevin Davies; unmarked he had time to place the ball, but luckily for Arsenal fans shot stright at Manuel Almunia.
Aaron Ramsey was brough on to replace Eboue, as Arsenal looked to tie things up. Carlos Vela almost made it two, but decided to shoot as he ran into the box, when he should really have passed to the unmarked Van Persie.
But it did not matter, at the final whistle the sense of relief so often felt in home games this year filled the ground, and Arsenal had won another must-win game .
It was a bitterly cold day and the game kicked off in a flurry of snow, and gradually the game warmed up even if the conditions didn't.
Arsenal welcomed back Kolo Toure who had been flirting with an Arsenal exit, Diaby partnered Denilson in midfield and Eboue took up the right-wing position.
Bolton were without their dominant captain Kevin Nolan due to suspension, but Kevin Davies, a constant thorn in Arsenal's side over the years started on the right.
Within the first 10 minutes the diminutive Samir Nasri started to pull the strings in midfield, and the in-form Robin Van Persie looked lively upfront.
Van Persie shot just over after controlling a loose ball, and then headed straight at Bolton 'keeper Jussi Jaaskalainen. He then volleyed a ball into row Z, but the Arsenal faithful were confident of the breakthrough.
Bolton offered little of attacking threat, and Arsenal continued to have most of the possession. The visitors continued to stifle the Gunners putting most of their players behind the ball and Kevin Davies became the scapegoat with a few niggly fouls.
The half-ended 0-0, which provided everyone time for a couple of cups of tea to stave off the Arctic conditions.
Arsenal started the second-half brightly but were just finding it difficult to break down the Bolton defence.
Johan Elmander, the Bolton striker, limped down the tunnel and was replaced by Mustafa Riga.
After some quick passing with Adebayor, Van Persie again seemed to make a chance out of nothing as he held off a couple of defenders to toe-poke an effort onto the post.
Wenger sensed he needed to do something, and he brought on Carlos Vela for Abou Diaby who despite playing well in recent games, had had a fairly ineffectual game today.
The crowd, who have warmed to the young Mexican, were suddenly expectant, hoping his pace and directness could give the team something it had been lacking up until now.
They were right, with Nasri now in the centre pulling the strings and Vela and Clichy on the left, Arsenal were suddenly finding more space.
Nasri's exquisite pass let in Adebayor who almost had too much time. Just as he shot a defender lunged in and blocked the ball.
It seemed only a matter of time, but time was running out.
Nicklas Bendtner was brought on in place of Emmanuel Eboue who had one of his better games, to add some height and an extra attacking threat.
He could have scored with his first touch. Nasri floated in a corner and the Dane connected with the ball but not well enough to trouble Jaaskalainen.
Arsenal had Bolton pinned in their box and the pressure finally told. Clichy slipped Van Perise in with a fantastic ball, the Dutchman chipped a cross to the back post and Bendtner slid in to half-colley the ball past Jaaskalainen.
The Dane, who has not had the best of times recently, could not hide his delight.
After all the hard work, Arsenal almost let it slip. Bolton went straight up the other end and created a guilt-edged chance. Chris Basham raced down the right and pulled the ball back to Kevin Davies; unmarked he had time to place the ball, but luckily for Arsenal fans shot stright at Manuel Almunia.
Aaron Ramsey was brough on to replace Eboue, as Arsenal looked to tie things up. Carlos Vela almost made it two, but decided to shoot as he ran into the box, when he should really have passed to the unmarked Van Persie.
But it did not matter, at the final whistle the sense of relief so often felt in home games this year filled the ground, and Arsenal had won another must-win game .
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment