Source: Team_Talk
Bendtner keeps Gunners in title race
Arsenal substitute Nicklas Bendtner headed a stoppage-time winner as 10-man Wolves finally succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.[LNB] The Gunners - outplayed by Barcelona for large spells at home on Tuesday night - made seven changes to their starting XI as manager Arsene Wenger clearly had one eye on next week's Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp.[LNB]However, despite dominating the home side could not find a breakthrough until deep into five minutes of stoppage time.[LNB]Wolves defended bravely and overcame the sending off of captain Karl Henry for a late challenge on Tomas Rosicky only to be denied when Bendtner headed in what could prove to be the young Dane's most vital strike yet.[LNB]Bendtner also netted a last-gasp strike as the Gunners defeated Hull last month.[LNB]The victory keeps Arsenal on the coat tails of Chelsea and Manchester United with five games remaining.[LNB]After Chelsea went back to the top of the table with their controversial 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, Wenger knew there was little margin for error if Arsenal wanted to keep pace as the title race heats up.[LNB]Theo Walcott - recalled to the team after his goal against Barcelona - weaved his way into the Wolves box after cutting in from the right, before chipping the ball back across goal where Eduardo forced goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann into a fine, one-handed reaction save.[LNB]Wolves defender Michael Mancienne charged forwards and let fly from 25 yards, which was just off target.[LNB]Arsenal went close again when Rosicky pulled the ball back through a crowded six-yard box to find Eduardo, but the Croatian could only stab the ball wide as he lost balance.[LNB]Walcott then released right-back Bacary Sagna on the overlap into the Wolves penalty area, and his shot was blocked by Hahnemann.[LNB]After 15 minutes, the French defender was in again, this time sliding to hook the ball to Emmanuel Eboue, whose attempted backheel hit his trailing leg.[LNB]Arsenal continued to press, with Walcott testing Hahnemann with a 20-yard snap-shot after the ball dropped to him from a corner.[LNB]Although it continued to be one-way traffic, Wolves remained solid.[LNB]Rosicky created some space for himself on the edge of the area, but could only fire his shot high into the stands, while Denilson then drilled a low effort wide and Mikael Silvestre tested the Wolves goalkeeper again.[LNB]Arsenal maintained the pressure at the start of the second half as Silvestre flashed a low centre across goal.[LNB]Alex Song collected the ball 30 yards out and charged forwards, only to blaze his shot wide.[LNB]Walcott continued to be Arsenal's main attacking outlet, but the home side lacked any real presence in the Wolves box.[LNB]Eduardo volleyed wide after reacting quickly to a high ball.[LNB]As the hour mark approached, Rosicky cut in from the right and fired a low, angled drive goalwards, which Hahnemann was again behind.[LNB]There was still a threat from Wolves, though, as winger Matthew Jarvis flashed a couple of dangerous balls into the Arsenal six-yard box.[LNB]After 66 minutes, Wolves captain Henry was shown a straight red by referee Andre Marriner for needlessly going through the back of Rosicky, who was facing his own goal in the centre-circle.[LNB]The Czech midfielder needed treatment to his calf, but was soon back on the pitch and forced Hahnemann into another good reaction save before Bendtner stretched the American with a looping header.[LNB]Rosicky cleared off the line as Sol Campbell deflected the ball towards his own goal following a Wolves corner.[LNB]Arsenal sent on Mexican Carlos Vela to try to find a way through.[LNB]Walcott stabbed a close-range effort wide during five minutes of stoppage time.[LNB]Then, just when it seemed all over, Sagna whipped the ball into the six-yard box where Bendtner arrived to bullet a header past Hahnemann as the Emirates Stadium erupted.
