Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League table as they defeated Bolton 3-1.
Wenger's men battle from behind at the Reebok Stadium
Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League table as they came from behind to defeat Bolton Wanderers 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium.
With Liverpool drawing with Stoke, and Chelsea facing Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was hoping his side would take advantage.
But it was Bolton who took the lead in the 14th minute as Kevin Davies climbed above Kolo Toure to head in a Joey O'Brien corner after Gael Clichy had abandoned the far post.
However, the Gunners did not have to wait long for their goal as Emmanuel Eboue - possibly in an offside position - collected Nicklas Bendtner's pass to equalise on 26 minutes.
Wenger's side continued to dominate and deservedly took the lead as Bendtner tapped in one minute later, but the first half ended in controversy as Davies was fortunate to escape with a booking following a lunge on Clichy.
Full-back Clichy did not return after the interval as Johan Djourou came on and the change altered Wenger's side as Bolton's physical presence saw Manuel Almunia put under pressure.
Contest
But Bolton never truly looked like finding a way back into the contest and Arsenal wrapped up a one-point advantage at the table's summit in the final minutes as Denilson netted from close range.
It was Bolton who almost took the lead in the third minute with a wonderful piece of vision from captain Kevin Nolan as he almost chipped Almunia from 30 yards.
And Bolton then made the breakthrough when Davies was first to react to O'Brien's corner, heading the ball beyond Almunia for his third goal of the season.
Arsenal were rocked but broke swiftly, only for Denilson's effort from the edge of the area to clear the crossbar and Toure latched on to a good touch from Bendtner in 20th minute, but saw his shot go narrowly wide of the post.
The Gunners then hit the woodwork twice in the space of two minutes through Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexandre Song as Bolton found themselves under siege.
Arsenal's persistence paid off in the 26th minute with Eboue scoring at the near post after being set up by Bendtner.
Momentum
They maintained their momentum two minutes later with Bendtner getting his reward for some unselfish work as he got on the end of a cross from Denilson to give Arsenal the lead with his first Premier League goal of the season.
Bolton, however, hit back in the 41st minute as Nolan cracked in a good shot, but Almunia was again equal to his effort.
After the interval, Bolton found themselves on the back foot when Song raced forward and drilled in a shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry to safety.
The Finland international had some harsh words for his defence at allowing Song room to manoeuvre.
Adebayor then got away from his marker a minute later but headed wide at the far post following a cross from substitute Johan Djourou.
Bolton were growing in confidence, however, and O'Brien rattled in a shot from distance in the 59th minute that went narrowly wide.
Riga Mustapha was quickly into the action after coming off the bench and his effort was turned away at the post by Almunia following a glorious through ball from Nolan.
But the visitors continued to look dangerous on the break and Denilson sealed the points three minutes from time, sweeping home a cross from Adebayor.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Arsenal |
| 1 |
Goals |
3 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
11 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 7 |
Corners |
17 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
10 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 67.6 |
Passing Success |
82.4 |
| 20 |
Tackles |
13 |
| 80 |
Tackles Success |
69.2 |
| 29.4 |
Possession |
70.6 |
| 41.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
58.2 |
|
