Bolton Outgunned

For Arsenal fans, staff and players alike, the visit of Bolton (aka Bedrock) Wanderers can hardly be described as the event of the season, especially as their manager Modest Sam Allardyce has made much in recent times of the belief that his side know how to tackle Arsenal (‘tackle’, presumably, being the operative word. So naturally everyone at the Emirates was braced for another of those captivating ‘in your face’ performances from the Supreme Fouling Machine, and the fascinating prospect of the likes of Davies, Nolan, Meite and Faye vying for the dubious accolade of ‘Villain in Chief’.

And so it proved. There was even an early goal from the opposition, fast becoming an Emirates tradition and on this occasion (inevitably perhaps) the work of ex-Gunner Nicolas Anelka. But after that it was all Arsenal, and in the face of their beautiful flowing football Allardyce’s foot soldiers were left huffing and puffing, a team of plodders with European ambitions above their station.

Only Arsenal’s ability to spurn chances almost as quickly as they can create them kept this game close. The energetic Adebayor could have had a couple of goals. Rosicky, a heady mixture of jinking brilliance and sheer determination, deserved a hat trick. Alexander Hleb should have got his name on the score sheet. Freddie Ljungberg came close on two occasions. Kolo Toure, thankfully back to something approaching his best, produced two shots of devastating power. And Abou Diaby, though a substitute, ought really to have notched his very first Arsenal hat trick.

In the end the game was decided by two welcome goals from midfield. Tomas Rosicky tore in past Hunt to grab the equaliser from close range and the second half had scarcely begun when Cesc Fabregas latched onto a delightful through ball and calmly wrong footed the Bolton defence before finishing majestically and launching himself into a frenzy of celebration that had relief written all over it.

‘Relief’ was the word, because this performance and this result did much to boost Arsenal’s quest for a place in next season’s Champions League. And nothing whatsoever for Bolton’s.

Which in the circumstances prompts the question ‘What’s the French for Yabba-Dabba-Doo!’?