Bolton are now four points from safety after an unbelievable cock-up this afternoon. 2-0 up at half time, with a man advantage after Diaby was shown a straight red, and totally on top of the game. Game over? That’s what I thought.
But Arsene Wenger showed why he is a world class manager with a double substitution in the second half which totally turned the game around and a poorly conceded goal, a penalty and an own goal handed the Gunners an incredible three points.
Bolton started well but it was still a surprise when they took the lead. Diouf linked up well with Steinsson on the right wing and the Icelandic defender produced an excellent cross which was headed in by Matt Taylor for his first Wanderers goal. After that there was only really one team in it, especially after Abou Diaby received a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Gretar Steinsson, who was fortunately OK to continue after some treatment. And Wanderers made their pressure pay just before half time when Taylor’s shot was deflected past Almunia and Bolton looked to have the game tied up.
After the break it was more of the same, but Bolton just couldn’t make their chances count. And they were punished by William Gallas as he found himself unmarked at the far post from a corner and volleyed into the empty net. Arsene Wenger then brought on Theo Walcott and Adebayor as Arsenal turned the game around and looked for an equaliser. They found it in the form of a penalty after Gary Cahill brought down Hleb. Robin Van Persie sent Al Habsi the wrong way to level the scores.
Arsenal were completely on top and it came as no surprise when Fabregas’ shot hit first Andy O’Brien and then Jlloyd Samuel before ending up in the Wanderers net.
On the face of it, it is just what was expected. Arsenal were expected to win, and did. Surely we lost nothing? But really we lost so much in that last 30 minutes, it was just incredible. Those last 30 minutes could be the ones that see us relegated. As it turned out, even if we hadn’t cocked it up we would have still been in the relegation zone after Birmingham’s 3-1 win against Man City.
It’s hard to take. Arsenal set off really well in the first ten minutes and we got our best ball of the afternoon with the goal we scored and then we were on top.
We came in at halftime 2-0 up and with Arsenal with 10 men, and we said that the important period was how we started the second half.
To score two goals against one of the best teams in Europe and to create the amount of opportunities that we did and to come off not winning, let alone getting a point, is a real kick in the teeth.
Arsenal have got some fantastic players but we were the masters of our own downfall today.
- Gary Megson
