ARSENAL came from two goals down to beat Bolton 4-2 at the Emirates Stadium and go top of the Premier League table.
Thanks to Arsenal’s European commitments and January’s cold snap, this rearranged fixture was the second match between the two clubs in a matter of days.
Arsenal won 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday, a result which meant the Gunners could go top with a two-goal victory in the return match in North London.
However for a long time it looked as though the only movement in the league would be Bolton climbing out of the relegation zone.
Owen Coyle made one change from the weekend’s defeat, bringing in Mark Davies for Ivan Klasnic as the new manager packed his midfield in an attempt to stifle Arsenal’s attacking threat.
The tactic worked as the visitors started brightest and were rewarded in the seventh minute, Cahill volleying in Kevin Davies’s knock down after Gael Clichy had made a mess of clearing a left wing cross.
Taylor struck the post with a free-kick then was given a clearer chance to double Bolton’s lead from the penalty spot when Denilson clumsily fouled Lee Chung-Yong.
He coolly slotted home the kick - and Bolton looked good value for their lead.
Arsenal’s victory on Sunday was inspired by Fabregas, and again it was the captain who stirred his team into action.
The Spaniard set up Eduardo for a one-on-one chance with Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Croatian only able to hit his shot into the body of the Finn.
Moments later Fabregas’s free-kick was headed on to the underside of the bar by Davies.
On the stroke of half-time Fabregas picked out Rosicky 20 yards out, and he shifted the ball to his right and shot past Jaaskelainen at his near post.
It was Fabregas himself who got the equaliser following a controversial incident which left Bolton fuming at referee Alan Wiley.
William Gallas crunched Mark Davies on the ankle in the build-up to the goal, a challenge from which the Trotters man would not recover. Play was allowed to continue and Fabregas battled his way past three Bolton defenders before nut-megging the keeper from a tight angle.
Arsenal could sense that victory was theirs for the taking and they went in front on 65 minutes: Vermaelen lashed home a left-footed volley after Bolton had only half cleared a Fabregas corner.
It looked as though Arsenal would have to settle for the win without going top; however Arshavin finished the job with five minutes remaining, flicking the ball to his left and volleying home with his right. — Eurosport
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