Unlucky Bolton - my heart bleeds

The starting eleven was as expected, I had hoped to see Vela starting but as usual Emmanuel Eboue kept his place on the right side of midfield with Nasri kept on the left. The first half was not inspiring, RVP shooting over was the closest we came, the continual niggling Bolton fouling from Davies in particular was not unexpected.

The second half was one way traffic. Good chances came and went. RVP struck the foot of a post with a good effort as he lost his balance in the box, Bendtner came on for Eboue and really should have done better with his first touch as he headed straight at Jaaskelainen from a well delivered free kick. In the meantime Vela had come on for Diaby.

Bendtner had another good chance when his low shot was blocked, Toure had a good drill from distance that was well saved. Then the break through. Van Persie found space in the inside left position, his delightfully flighted cross was met perfectly by Bendtner at the back stick with his right boot, one nil to the Arsenal and thank the lord for that.

Then another extremely enjoyable moment, Davies found some space in the Arsenal box and it was laid back to him only ten yards from goal, he took aim and fired a tame shot that was easy for Almunia to save. I really enjoyed that miss, Davies sums up the filth that Bolton are, limited in talent and only gifted with an ability to foul, cheat and deliberately injure the opposition, what a great shame he will be thinking of that miss tonight on his way up to grim Bolton.

Some things are just plain obvious. Bolton deserved nothing for their defensive clogging and it was incredibly satisfying to beat them, even if it was only by the single goal. Carlos Vela must start on the left of midfield with Nasri on the right, Eboue is not good enough and Vela gives as some genuine width and directness that we often lack. The three points were much the needed, have that Megson, Davies et al, I hope you have a long painful journey back north tonight.