Source: Telegraph
Bolton 0 Arsenal 2: match report
Game one for Owen Coyle at Bolton, game 767 at Arsenal for Arsène Wenger and an outcome that provided further proof of the value of managerial stability. [LNB]Yet even despite a first league defeat in five matches, the sudden surge of optimism around the Reebok Stadium yesterday was utterly unmistakable. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League tablePremier League actionPremier League fixturesTelegraph player raterTransfer TalkSport on televisionLosing and playing more adventurous football with Coyle, it would seem, is rather more palatable to the Bolton supporters than grinding out results with Gary Megson. [LNB]A beaming Coyle adorned the front of the match-day programme and, in the moments before kick-off, the giant screen inside the Reebok replayed a montage of goals from Coyle's two-and-a-half years at Bolton. Some were high-quality, most were scrappy and, for a season-high crowd at the Reebok, they were the only Bolton goals they would be seeing all afternoon. [LNB]Even so, Coyle was still serenaded throughout with the sort of rapturous appreciation that Megson had never experienced. A hamstring injury to Samir Nasri had further depleted Arsenal's midfield options and ensured a first Premier League start for Craig Eastmond in the holding midfield role that has been vacated by Alex Song's participation in the African Cup of Nations. [LNB]Eastmond's involvement also ensured that Cesc Fabregas could continue in a more advanced midfield role on his return from a hamstring injury and he was a persistent threat. [LNB]A shot from just outside the penalty area flew narrowly wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's post and the Arsenal captain then pierced the Bolton defence with a precise pass that Eduardo was just unable to reach. [LNB]Controversy then arose when Fabregas had a convincing penalty appeal waved away. Eduardo had created space on the left and crossed for Fabregas, who just reached the ball ahead of Jaaskelainen and went to ground following contact with the Bolton goalkeeper's outstretched leg. [LNB]With Andrei Arshavin also shooting narrowly wide, a goal had been coming and, when it came, there was no surprise that Fabregas should have the decisive touch. [LNB]Once again Eduardo was involved; back-heeling a one-two into the path of Fabregas, whose finish for his 13th goal of the season was both precise and powerful. Wenger has noted Fabregas's increased 'calm' in front of goal this season and it provoked a furious reaction from Bolton. Fabregas appeared to be targeted for a series of heavy challenges, although Arsenal felt most aggrieved when another penalty appeal was waved away after a trip by Zat Knight. [LNB]Arsenal then missed a further chance to extend their lead when both Eduardo and Fabregas were unable to convert Arshavin's cross along the six-yard box. Bolton had their moments, notably when exploiting the obvious nerves at left-back of Arsenal's Armand Traoré. Ivan Klasnic was the main danger and, after having an effort in the third minute disallowed for offside, he forced a particularly important save shortly before half-time when he collected Kevin Davies's flick-on and almost guided the ball beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. [LNB]The chance lifted Bolton and they emerged for the second-half full of purpose and energy. Traoré, once again, was targeted, with Chung-Yong Lee providing a persistent threat down the left, although the two best Bolton chances were wasted by Matthew Taylor. Such profligacy was ultimately punished. Fabregas broke forward on the counter-attack and fed Eduardo, whose cross was deflected off Knight and into the path of Fran Merida. [LNB]The Spaniard instantly brought the ball under his control and shot beyond Jaaskelainen to seal a seventh straight win over Bolton and give Arsenal supporters the final say on Coyle's big homecoming. 'There's only one Gary Megson', they sang. [LNB]
