Match Review: Arsenal 2-1 Bolton

At last we can celebrate but more importantly breathe a sigh of relief. A convincing victory over our bogey team combined with Liverpool's draw at City means that we are right back in contention for 3rd spot. And all of a sudden, a Champions League place seems in the bag, as we are 5 points clear of Bolton with a game in hand.

The only change from the draw at Newcastle, was Tomas Rosicky replacing Abou Diaby, who dropped to the bench. Emirates Expects. That must have been in the players minds as the game kicked off, but The Gunners still got off to a bad start. Nicky Hunt's long freekick was misjudged by Toure and Nolan was in. The Bolton skipper's header was palmed away well by Lehmann, but Nicolas Anelka was lurking and the Frenchman tucked it away. The former gooner seems to love scoring against Arsenal, and that goal meant that the home side had a psychological mountain to climb. This was the fourteenth time Arsenal had gone behind at The Emirates and their confidence must have been so low but they still responded with lots of chances. Just minutes later, Ljungberg played in Adebayor, but his effort was saved by the legs of Jaaskelainen. The Togo striker still looking to end his goal drought. Kolo Toure was trying his luck with a couple of 30 yard screamers but was denied both times by the Trotters' keeper. Freddie Ljungberg's freekick went just over the bar before Lady Luck finally shined on The Gunners. Adebayor played in a seemingly harmless cross, but Hunt was caught daydreaming and Tomas Rosicky nipped in and stabbed the ball into the net. Game on! The Czech interanational's goal was also overdue, this being only his second Premiership goal for the club. So an early equaliser for a change, meant that Arsene Wenger's side went in at the break happy and full of confidence for the second half.

In fact, they were so high on confidence that it only took 44 seconds for another goal to come! Gilberto put the Bolton defence on the back foot, with a lovely neat ball into Fabregas. The Spaniard cut inside, kept his cool and delightfully found the bottom corner. At last! It was the Spaniard's first goal since his brace in Zagreb, in the Champions League qualifier. He was pleased but Emirates Stadium probably more so, due to the eruption when Fabregas scored. Since then Arsenal had a pretty easy ride and with few clear cut chances it was a time to relax. And then Bolton's hopes were well and truly gone, when Ivan Campo's late challenge earned him a second yellow and an early bath. But substitute, Abou Diaby could and probably should have scored another. He was one-on-one with Jaaskelainen but sidefooted straight at him instead of playing in Julio Baptista, who had an open goal to aim at. But luckily, it was unimportant and The Gunners have surely secured a place in Europe's top competition next season.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Cesc Fabregas