- Rosicky (31), Fabregas (46)
- Anelka (11)
- Date:2007-04-14
- Kick-off:15:00
- Venue:Emirates Stadium
- Attendance:60101
- Referee:Styles, R
Live Commentary
90mins
Arsenal deservedly get the three points as the final whistle is blown
90mins
Bolton pile everyone forward for a free kick in an attempt to get an equaliser
90mins
Jens Lehmann is ironically booked for time wasting
90mins
The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time
89mins
Arsenal have completely dominated the second half and are still pushing for a third goal
87mins
Arsenal had two on one with Jaaskelainen but Diaby took too long and the Bolton 'Keeper made the save
85mins
Gilberto drills the ball a yard wide of the goal after he had all day to pick is shot on the edge of the box
83mins
Ivan Campo recieves his second yellow card for a silly foul and is sent off
81mins
Julio Baptista makes a fool out of Ivan Campo by putting the ball through his legs
79mins
Adebayor tries an audacious attempt from thirty five yards but it flies over the bar
75mins
Julio Baptista replaces Alex Hleb
75mins
Andranik broke down the middle of the pitch but found himself alone and lost the ball in possession
73mins
Bolton played their best move of the match, only for Nicolas Anelka to unfortunately be caught offside
72mins
Kevin Nolan is replaced by David Thompson
70mins
Nicky Hunt is booked for slicing down Tomas Rosicky
68mins
Emmanuel Adebayor got round Nicky Hunt and crossed the ball into the box but Abou Diaby's diving header went inches wide of the post
67mins
Ivan Campo booked for inpeding Alexsander Hleb
66mins
Arsenal are first to every ball now and looking in total control of the game
64mins
Kevin Nolan suprisingly once again shows no conviction in winning a tackle in the middle of the park
63mins
Jens Lehmann almost making a calamity and needlessly gives away a corner to Bolton
62mins
Ricardo Vaz Te comes on for El-Hadj Diouf
60mins
Nicolas Anelka flicked the ball on for Diouf who was out muscled by Toure and the defender came away with the ball
59mins
Abou Diaby comes on for Freddie Ljunberg
57mins
Freddie Ljunberg caught offside as he was clear on goal from a Hleb miss-kick
55mins
Sam Allardyce has re-shuffled his side as he looks to get back into the game
54mins
Bolton bring on Andranik Teymourian in place of Ricardo Gardner
52mins
Bolton really under pressure at the minute with Bolton finding Arsenal's pace too much to deal with
50mins
Freddie Ljunberg made a dart infield and hit Adebayor's slick pass over the bar
48mins
William Gallas is booked for a rash challenge on El-Hadj Diouf
46mins
GOAL!! ARSENAL 2 - 1 BOLTON (FABREGAS) Cesc Fabregas scores straight after the restart with a clinical finish
46mins
Bolton get the game back underway
45mins
The teams go in all square at the break
45mins
The fourth official has indicated one minute of added time
45mins
Emmanuel Eboue did brilliantly to get to the byline and cross the ball into the box, but it went all the way out for a throw-in
44mins
Sam Allardyce must be wishing for half time so he can re-group his players and get them organised
42mins
Kevin Davies was caught in possession on half way and Arsenal made a blistering attack but the end product wasn't there
40mins
Bolton nearly duplicating their goal with the same kind of free kick into the box, but this time Arsenal dealt with the problem
38mins
Arsenal played lovely one touch football and cut through Bolton but Ljunberg hit his shot wide
35mins
Kolo Toure came forward with the ball and played a one-two before smashing a shot at goal, only for Jaaskelainen to make a good save
32mins
Arsenal continue to put pressure on Bolton, coming forward in numbers and looking for a second goal
30mins
GOAL!! ARSENAL 1 - 1 BOLTON (ROSICKY) Nicky Hunt was caught napping at the back post, as the ball was crossed in over his head and Tomas Rosicky came in to equalise for Arsenal
27mins
Jussi Jaaskelainen once again saves Bolton, with a magnificent one handed save from Gilberto Silva
25mins
Meite and Adebayor are having a tough physical battle, with Meite coping well at the minutes
23mins
Bolton are defending well and packing the middle of the pitch to try and contain Arsenal
21mins
Arsenal almost getting an equaliser as Adebayor through himself towards the ball, but couldn't reach Ljunberg's cross across the box
19mins
Nicolas Anelka again going close for Bolton just firing past the right post of Jens Lehmann
17mins
Abdoulaye Meite clatters into Adebayor to give away a free kick but escapes a booking
15mins
Freddie Ljunberg fired a free kick literally an inch over the bar
13mins
Arsenal almost hit straight back with Freddie Ljunbery slipping in Emmanuel Adebayor who's effort was just tipped wide from Jussi Jaaskelainen
11mins
GOAL!! ARSENAL 0 - 1 BOLTON (ANELKA) Nicolas Anelka smashes in a close range shot after Kevin Davies caused some problems from a free kick
9mins
Tomas Rosicky gives away a silly free kick for pulling Gary Speed's shirt
7mins
Nicholas Anelka couldn't get on the end of a through ball
4mins
Kevin Nolan couldn't get his header on target as he met a cross at the back post
2mins
Bolton make a very positive start to the game and immediately put Arsenal under pressure
1mins
Arsenal get the game underway
0mins
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
0mins
Bolton have club captain Kevin Nolan back after serving a two match ban, but Tal Ben Haim has a hamstring problem and misses out. Otherwise Sam Allardyce has a full strength side for today's game at the Emirates.
0mins
Arsene Wenger welcomes back Tomas Rosicky to the starting line-up after a virus, Emmanuel Eboue is recalled at right back, though Thierry Henry and Theo Walcott are still sidelined.
0mins
Bolton Line-up: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Meite, Faye, Gardner, Nolan, Campo, Speed, Davies, Anelka, Diouf
0mins
Arsenal Line-up: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Ljungberg, Adebayor
Match Preview
The battle for the fourth and final Champions League place reaches a crucial stage as out-of-form Arsenal play host to Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners looked odds-on to finish either third or fourth several weeks ago, but have since slumped to three losses and a draw in their last four games to allow the Trotters to close to within two points.
The latest disappointment was a 0-0 draw at Newcastle United on Easter Monday, with the absence of the injured Thierry Henry clearing affecting Arsene Wenger's side.
However, Wenger was just pleased to see his side's losing run come to an end, as he said: "Our confidence had dropped a little bit because we lost three times and the first consequence is you do not score as many goals as you are used to.
"But of course, with the games we have now at home, it will be important to score. I feel the pressure always, but no more than usual at the moment."
While Arsenal were being held at St James' Park, Bolton managed a 1-1 draw at home to Everton, with Kevin Davies netting his second goal in three games since his recent return from injury.
Boss Sam Allardyce is upbeat about his side's prospects, commenting: "Our next three games are particularly difficult.
"We have to keep our form and try to reproduce the performances we've done in the past at Arsenal, without thinking we're going to win it.
"We can get a result - we've proved that in the past - but every player has to commit like they did against Everton and keep their organisation and shape."
Allardyce will be boosted by the return from suspension of captain Kevin Nolan to reinforce the midfield, but David Thompson is still struggling with a shin injury.
advertisement
advertisment
Match Report
In what was billed as a Champions League fourth place showdown Arsenal came out on top by beating Bolton Wanderers in a nail-biting, pulsating encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
This was a "must win" game for Bolton if they were to be seriously considered for that all-important final place and the chance at Champions League glory next season.
Yet it wasn't to be for Sam Allardyce's men as the Gunners shot them down although they made hard work of it and were forced to fight to the very death.
Arsenal started the brighter yet it was the Wanderers that shocked the 60,000 fans by going 1-0 ahead thanks to former Highbury marksman Nicolas Anelka who prodded home from point-blank range on 11 minutes.
Once again Arsenal were to do it the hard way and found the equaliser after attacking relentlessly on 31 minutes through Czech Republic international Tomas Rosicky. He latched on to Emmanuel Adebayor's cross, shooting home from close range and levelling matters.
Both Arsenal and Bolton had chances to go ahead before the break with Fredrik Ljungberg going close for Arsenal and Anelka almost grabbing his second for Bolton.
The second half started in explosive fashion as Arsenal's Spanish wonderboy Cesc Fabregas fired Arsenal into the lead. The midfield starlet continued to dominate proceedings and was always instrumental in both Arsenal's defensive and offensive movements.
He rubbed salt into his countryman Ivan Campo's wounds by teaching him a footballing lesson throughout.
However, Bolton were far from done and continued to pose a worry to Arsenal's fragile rearguard with great aerial threat and plenty of muscle-power when going forward.
The Gunners then upped the ante by re-discovering their fluent passing game, but typically squandered numerous golden opportunities to put the game beyond doubt.
Second-half substitute Abou Diaby was guilty of missing two golden chances which had the home fans on the edge of their seats for the full 90 minutes.
Their nerves were eased considerably with eight minutes left when a frustrated Campo picked up his second yellow card for an infringement on Rosicky.
Arsene Wenger's troops managed to old on to a precious three points and have now created a comfortable cushion between fourth and fifth place.
After a disappointing first season in their wonderful new home at the Emirates Stadium, the minimum requirement for Arsenal was Champions League qualification and it seems as though it will now be achieved.
Arsenal Team
Bolton Wanderers Team
Arsenal | Bolton Wanderers |
Corners
| 2 | 5 |
Fouls
| 7 | 18 |
Goal attempts
| 19 | 6 |
Shots off target
| 10 | 4 |
Offsides
| 3 | 1 |



90mins
Nicolas Anelka is jeered by the Arsenal fans as he smashes a good chance way over the bar