But, it wasn't as easy as in the second as it was in the first half though, Arsenal didnt get out of the blocks quick at all, as Bolton gained a free kick just inside the Arsenal half, in the first minute or so, they sent two men up against six Arsenal defenders, surely no problem, wrong, it was lifted in, David Wheater won the header at the far post with two or three Arsenal defenders standing staring as the ball came across to Darrern Pratley, who's inventive back-heel strike forced an outstanding save from Wojciech Szczesney.
Arsenal struggled to get started really in the whole first 45mins, Robin Van Persie came closest with a well worked free kick, just shaving the far post with Jaaskelinen left standing. Arsenal had a couple good attacks, Gervinho was Arsenal's brightest spark in the first half he whizzed a shot over the bar, Theo Walcott sprinted down the left and from my view it seemed it impossible for Van Persie not to score, but a great block from Zat Knight saved the day. 10mins before half time, David Ngog limped off after a clash with Laurent Koscileny, Kevin Davies, his replacement, caused absolute havock with Per Mertesacker, the 6ft plus giant couldn't handle the strength and persistence of Davies who nearly profited after a slick Bolton break resulted with Martin Petrov's through ball just too heavy for Davies, as he was clear through. 0-0 at half time, with Arsenal fans starting to tense about that first half performance.
Second half, Arsenal fans screamed as they kicked off, hopin for an attacking start from the Gunners, that's excatly what they got, Gervinho got the ball just inside the Bolton half and was chopped down, referee played a great advantage, Aaron Ramsey burst on to the ball, lovely ball to Van Persie, he skipped past Wheater and drilled in past Jaaskelinen at his near post, after just 40 seconds gone! His 99th for Arsenal and suddenly, I felt the tension and nervousness of the Arsenal fans start to dissapear, as the chant "1-0 to the Arsenal" was a glad sound.
Arsenal never looked back, Theo Walcott started to stretch his legs, he got on to a brillaint thorugh ball from Van Persie and was clear through and was hauled down by David Wheater, no suprise as to what was the result, Red Card, as the horror start to the half continued for Bolton, Arsenal started to punish Bolton and looked liked scoring on every attack, with Arteta, Gervinho, Van Persie and Koscielny all going close, before the moment all Arsenal fans wanted. Walcott was destroying Paul Robinson, although some twit behind didnt think so, they got a throw, and he shouted, " Oi, Theo you lazy waste, get involved, look intrested". I totally disagreed, he was one of our best players on the day, well Theo reacted, played a great one-two with Gibbs, tore past Robinson and delivered a peach of a cross right on to RVP's foot, he made it look so easy, an equisite finish, 2-0 and his 100th for Arsenal as all of us united in chanting his name for about 5 mins.
My Dad was teasing me about this being a 6 pointer, relegation battle as Arsenal were 17th, Bolton 18th, so after 2-0 all of the Arsenal fans chanted, "We are staying up", hilarious!! Bolton fans werent amused, but they did fashion one chance, a quick break with Chris Eagles running through, didnt have the stamina and his shot was staright at Szczesny as Gibbs was putting him under pressure. Arsenal kept at it and derservedly got a 3rd, great work from Bacary Sagna, his cross to Song on the edge was put away with a plom in to the top corner.
So overall a great game with lows but mostly highs for the Gunners, a big 3 points as big games in the Champions League and at Tottenham to come, we could be 5th this time next week, lets just wait and see!
