Arsenal 2 - 0 Bolton

Ore darlin', this one is for you.

Kolo Toure (68)
Tomas Rosicky (80)

Again, I had to content myself with monitoring the match on MatchCast from Soccernet.com. Aargh! I am this close to junking my TWC service and signing up with DirecTv.

I was just releasing my breath (held over the duration of the international week), thankful that we managed to come through unscathed as per injuries (save for Senderos, but Gallas was back so we had that covered) when I saw this pix and later read that RvP would be out for a month. Damn. After I calmed down I realised that RvP's absence was not necessarily a bad thing what with Adebayor, Eduardo, Hleb, Bendtner and of course Walcott. This is not the Arsenal of two seasons ago, the fact that RvP is out really means nothing, we have several pple capable of scoring goals in the attack, midfield, even defence ;) (we all know Lehman can assist, even score goals, now if we can only get him to understand that he needs to go across the field, avoid 11 players from the opposing team and put the ball net ...) Speaking of Lehman, it would be a shame if he is going to end his career in goal for The Arsenal on this note. Wenger refused to list him for the Bolton game after he declared him fit and match ready ( he was in goal for Germany) He has been talking a lot of smack lately and its not like his injury, time out wasn't legitimate. He really should keep his flapper closed and concentrate on getting his 1st place jersey back the right way - proving he is worthy to the coach. Almunia has served well in goal due in part to the excellent work the defense is doing in front of him, and by defence I mean Flamini (1 contract renewal coming up).

Bolton had earlier sacked little Sam (of the orange crate in the Bolton dressing room fame). I was not surprised to hear this, I was not pleased though. It seemed little Sam's desire to actually play football was the reason Bolton seems to have wandered into the bottom 3 and apparently made camp next to the site they had broken ground on to erect a magnificent edifice. Little Sams departure could only mean that for sure Bolton would revert to their old way of doing things, being a pack of dirty, time wasting shitkickers with 11 men behind the ball as often as possible. (according to arseblog.com)

The stats on Matchcast were like astounding; 19 shots (with 9 on goal), Bolton managed 1 shot (none on goal); 65% possession for Arsenal while Bolton had 35%. They did make good use of their possession with 20 (14 for us) fouls and 5 yellow cards (1 for us). Going by these stats I must say I am disappointed that we only scored 2 goals (and to read about Adebayor's theatrical collapse right in front of goal does little to quash it.)

Toure opened scoring in the 68th minute form a freekick 25 yards out (many thanks to Ivan Campo for fouling Cesc). Hleb fed Walcott who by the way is making Wenger teary eyed with his performance in recent weeks, who made a cross across the area for a fit again Rosicky to turn in at close range in the 80th minute. 90 mins and its 2 -0 to The Arsenal! 3 points in the bag, still sitting pretty at the top of the table. Go Gunners!

We have a busy week ahead; we play Slavia Prague at home on Tuesday in the CL, Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield and Sheffield Utd on Wednesday at Bramall Lane on Wednesday.