By Boris Mellor
December 8 2005

Bolton dominated the first half, as Arsenal were forced deep for long periods. On 20 minutes a high ball was launched at Arsenal’s far post where Fabregas and Cygan were waiting.

Naturally, Fabregas, being the taller of the two, went up for the ball and Cygan remained grounded (Some mistake surely. Ed. It certainly was. Boris) Faye got to the ball before either of them. The rest can be summed up in the well-known phrase one nil to the Trotters.

However Gilberto was determined to show Fabregas and Cygan that they are not the only ones who can make dangerous errors. He carelessly lost the ball to Davies and he released Stelios for an easy goal, and he made no mistake from close range.

The result can be encapsulated in that famous phrase two nil to the Trotters.

Arsenal finally decided that it was time to play. Henry hit the post, but later it was van Persie who found the net. However this was disallowed as Henry had allegedly committed a foul in the build up. Bolton proceeded to win a series of throw ins to keep the Gunners penalty area under siege. Arsenal went in at half time deservedly two nil down. True they could have had a goal, but Lehmann made a few important saves.

The Gunners tempo had been far too slow in first half, and the defence too easily pressured into giving away the ball, or conceding throw ins.

In the second half Arsenal moved up a gear and began to besiege the Bolton goal. Jaaskelainen had to make several important saves. Henry hit post again, Pires should have got the rebound. For awhile it was all Arsenal, but Bolton were still dangerous on the break. After 20 minutes Bolton got back into the game, and were managing to slow the tempo again, and their defence was also made of sterner stuff when under attack. Indeed Bolton were getting control of the game again, Gilberto meanwhile was having a mare.

Bolton got the ball in the net as Arsenal were all over the place, however it had been punched in by Faye. Faye was already on a yellow card, but the referee refused to issue a second. Fabregas and van Persie were then substituted for Bergkamp and Reyes with about 20 minutes to go. Bolton were not allowing Arsenal to play, Wenger sent on Eboue for Lauren in an attempt to get more speed into the attack.

Henry drove the ball across the box but nobody turned up to knock it in, it should have been an easy tap in for Freddy. In the closing minutes Arsenal were parked in the Bolton half but with little effect.

Arsenal have just seen the ending of what was a very good run, the main reason for that is poor defending. The idea that you can always outscore two goals is just not true. The biggest problem is poor defending and a few players that are lacking consistency. You can get away with poor defending at home, but not away.

This was a real tough test and they failed it, no excuses this team is not good enough to win the Premiership. Four away defeats is just not the form of champions. It might be in the future, but not this season. Wenger gambled on not buying an extra experienced defender, it’s a gamble he has lost. Afterwards Wenger did something he rarely does, he questioned the commitment of the team.

If we can get Cole, or Clichy back then perhaps we can look forward to some success in the cups, and a place in the top three.