Things are never easy with Arsenal!
You would have thought that last night would have been a routine victory to put us top of the table but Bolton definitely had other ideas. We started the game quite poorly, we didn't get into our rhythm in the first ten minutes and found ourselves a goal down thanks to some awful defending from Clichy. Bolton's game plan was clear, restrict the ball getting to Fabregas and I can't even remember him having a touch of the ball in the opening twenty minutes of the game. Denilson then gave away a cheap penalty and we were two down, once again Denilson had an ineffective game. I do not rate the Brazilian, he constantly gave the ball away and always looked lightweight in the tackle. Even when were two nil down I always felt that we would go on to win the game, there's something about this Arsenal team that makes me believe. Much in the same way with the great Arsenal team in the late 90s and early part of the decade you get the feeling that it doesn't matter how much the opposition team scores we are always likely to outscore them. The crucial goal in the match was the Rosicky goal just before half time, it was the perfect time to score and had the first half gone on an extra five minutes I'm fairly confident that we would have gone in all square at the break.
At half time I told those around me at the Emirates that we would go on to win 5-2, it was almost the perfect prediction! A lot has already been said about the Gallas tackle, I have to admit that in Wenger fashion I didn't see it at the time but upon looking at the replays it was a bad challenge and could have resulted in a red card even though I don't think the intent was there. Once again the little genius popped up at a vital time to score the equaliser. To all those Arsenal fans who cheered when the Bolton player was carried off on a stretcher - Shame on you, the guy clearly had a bad injury and I feel ashamed that you represent our great club.
It had been a while since Vermaelen scored for us and I was delighted that he scored the all important third, it was also nice to see Arshavin score the goal that took us to the top of the table. The Russian hasn't scored for a while so it will do his confidence the world of good, we should have also had a fifth goal after a sensational turn by Arshavin that took him through but instead of squaring the ball to an unmarked Walcott he took the shot on himself and it was well saved.
So all in all a great comeback that showed a lot of spirit and desire, not at our best we still managed to take all three points and showed that we have the necessary elements within this team to have a successful season. I still feel we need a striker, having the big Dane back will be vital and will give us that different option in attack but we are still looking short in options. It's also a concern that Diaby went off with an injury as we are running out of midfielders and we can't afford to lose him at this crucial stage of the season. It's fair to say that the next 4 games will define our season, if we are still there or thereabouts by the end of them then we are definitely in with a shout of winning the title. Next up is the FA Cup, I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger fields a carling cup team at Stoke, he might have little choice.
Player ratings:
Almunia 6 - Should have saved the penalty, an accident waiting to happen.
Sagna 7 - Solid as ever.
Vermalaen 8 - Drove us forward from the back and scored a vital goal.
Gallas 7 - Good performance but a little lucky not to see red.
Clichy 5 - Looked very rusty and was at fault for the first goal, needs match sharpness.
Denilson 5 - Gave away a silly penalty and offered nothing throughout the game.
Diaby 7 - Was subdued tonight but still put in a good shift.
Fabregas 8 - Not his best game but still crucial to everything we did.
Arshavin 8 - Played well and scored a good goal.
Rosicky 7 - Started the game poorly but played better as the game went on, scored a vital goal.
Eduardo 7 - Could and should have scored in the first half and worked tirelessly for the team.
Subs:
Vela & Walcott - Weren't on long enough to make an impact.
You would have thought that last night would have been a routine victory to put us top of the table but Bolton definitely had other ideas. We started the game quite poorly, we didn't get into our rhythm in the first ten minutes and found ourselves a goal down thanks to some awful defending from Clichy. Bolton's game plan was clear, restrict the ball getting to Fabregas and I can't even remember him having a touch of the ball in the opening twenty minutes of the game. Denilson then gave away a cheap penalty and we were two down, once again Denilson had an ineffective game. I do not rate the Brazilian, he constantly gave the ball away and always looked lightweight in the tackle. Even when were two nil down I always felt that we would go on to win the game, there's something about this Arsenal team that makes me believe. Much in the same way with the great Arsenal team in the late 90s and early part of the decade you get the feeling that it doesn't matter how much the opposition team scores we are always likely to outscore them. The crucial goal in the match was the Rosicky goal just before half time, it was the perfect time to score and had the first half gone on an extra five minutes I'm fairly confident that we would have gone in all square at the break.
At half time I told those around me at the Emirates that we would go on to win 5-2, it was almost the perfect prediction! A lot has already been said about the Gallas tackle, I have to admit that in Wenger fashion I didn't see it at the time but upon looking at the replays it was a bad challenge and could have resulted in a red card even though I don't think the intent was there. Once again the little genius popped up at a vital time to score the equaliser. To all those Arsenal fans who cheered when the Bolton player was carried off on a stretcher - Shame on you, the guy clearly had a bad injury and I feel ashamed that you represent our great club.
It had been a while since Vermaelen scored for us and I was delighted that he scored the all important third, it was also nice to see Arshavin score the goal that took us to the top of the table. The Russian hasn't scored for a while so it will do his confidence the world of good, we should have also had a fifth goal after a sensational turn by Arshavin that took him through but instead of squaring the ball to an unmarked Walcott he took the shot on himself and it was well saved.
So all in all a great comeback that showed a lot of spirit and desire, not at our best we still managed to take all three points and showed that we have the necessary elements within this team to have a successful season. I still feel we need a striker, having the big Dane back will be vital and will give us that different option in attack but we are still looking short in options. It's also a concern that Diaby went off with an injury as we are running out of midfielders and we can't afford to lose him at this crucial stage of the season. It's fair to say that the next 4 games will define our season, if we are still there or thereabouts by the end of them then we are definitely in with a shout of winning the title. Next up is the FA Cup, I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger fields a carling cup team at Stoke, he might have little choice.
Player ratings:
Almunia 6 - Should have saved the penalty, an accident waiting to happen.
Sagna 7 - Solid as ever.
Vermalaen 8 - Drove us forward from the back and scored a vital goal.
Gallas 7 - Good performance but a little lucky not to see red.
Clichy 5 - Looked very rusty and was at fault for the first goal, needs match sharpness.
Denilson 5 - Gave away a silly penalty and offered nothing throughout the game.
Diaby 7 - Was subdued tonight but still put in a good shift.
Fabregas 8 - Not his best game but still crucial to everything we did.
Arshavin 8 - Played well and scored a good goal.
Rosicky 7 - Started the game poorly but played better as the game went on, scored a vital goal.
Eduardo 7 - Could and should have scored in the first half and worked tirelessly for the team.
Subs:
Vela & Walcott - Weren't on long enough to make an impact.
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