Premier League - Arsenal go top

Eurosport - Sun, 21 Sep 11:10:00 2008

Arsenal went top of the Premier League after coming from behind to beat bogey side Bolton 3-1 at the Reebok Stadium.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Arsenal Song Sagna Denilson - 0

Kevin Davies headed the hosts ahead on 14 minutes before Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner netted in quick succession to hand the lead to Arsenal before half-time.

Theo Walcott, on as a substitute, created a third late on for Brazilian midfielder Denilson who secured all three points for Arsenal to make it four wins out of five so far this season.

Arsene Wenger's side will now stay top of the table overnight with Chelsea not taking on Manchester United until Sunday.

Bolton had won four of their previous five encounters with the Gunners at the Reebok and the match appeared to be following that rather well-worn script when Kevin Nolan forced a good save out of Manuel Almunia with a dipping 25-yarder early on.

That feeling continued when Davies opened the scoring on 14 minutes, the flat-track bully - so often a thorn in Arsenal's side - netting a simply executed goal by rising above Kolo Toure and heading Joey O'Brien's corner past Almunia.

But that was about as far as the story followed the script, as Arsenal immediately asserted themselves on the game and gained the upper hand during a thrilling 10-minute period of play which culminated with two goals in a minute.

Eboue registered his first goal in an Arsenal shirt when he slotted home from close range on 26 minutes. Replays showed the Ivorian was in an offside position when Bendtner's cute pass found him, but the linesman's flag stayed down and the goal stood.

And then just a minute later Arsenal took the lead, this time Bendtner sliding in to finish from Denilson's centre from the left.

Perhaps Bolton had not been prepared for the ferocity of the fight-back, but there was no doubting that it had been coming. The woodwork had twice been struck in the immediate lead-up to the goals, Adebayor hitting the base of an upright when put through on goal moments before the post denied Alexandre Song a header from a corner.

Bolton were simply blown away by Arsenal's fluent passing game but Gary Megson's side are a tough proposition, especially on their home turf, and they managed to carve out a couple of chances before half-time.

On both occasions, it was Nolan who went close to restoring parity, but the Bolton skipper was first denied by an excellent Almunia save before seeing a sidefooted volley bounce the wrong side of the post.

Bolton's frustration was borne out as the first half neared its conclusion, Davies lunging in on Gael Clichy with a shocking tackle that resulted in the Frenchman heading to hospital for a check-up and the Bolton striker picking up a yellow card. It could easily have been red.

Fortunately Arsenal confirmed later that Clichy only suffered minor injuries and was able to return to London with the rest of the squad.

Arsenal started the second half brightly, Song forcing Jussi Jaaskelainen into making a sharp save soon after the restart, but Bolton - backed by a constant wall of sound from what was a disappointingly small gate - began to come back into the game.

Mustapha Riga was introduced as a 56th minute substitute and summer signing from Levante nearly made a big impact soon after when Almunia had to be alert to tip his well-placed effort round the corner.

But Bolton's best chance of the game fell to full-back Gretar Steinsson, who was afforded a free header from a corner with seven minutes remaining. The Iceland international could only plant his header over the bar though.

Bolton were made to rue his profligacy as Walcott burst through the hosts' defence on 87 minutes before feeding Adebayor, who in turn centred for Denilson. The youngster had the easy task of sweeping home from close range to seal just the Gunners' second win in six attempts at the Reebok.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

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  1. Satelliteman, what an extraordinary erudite and­ intelligent comment. Perhaps one day you'll be­ invited to become a pundit on Match of the Day!
    Oh,­ before that goes to your head, that was sarcasm.

    From Natanya_uk, on Sat 20 Sep 8:41PM
  2. whay to go sam s

    From VERONICA P, on Sat 20 Sep 8:41PM
  3. what a rekless challenge by kevin davies. A year ago­ eduardo's leg was broken by martin taylor. it seems­ to me opposition get frustrated with arsenals pass and­ move tactics and so lash out !!! poor shout not sending­ davies of referee

    From adamwalkertb77, on Sat 20 Sep 8:40PM
  4. satelliteman your are a Pr**k

    From VERONICA P, on Sat 20 Sep 8:39PM
  5. GUNNER 4 LIFE...I HOPE WILL REMAIN AT THE POSITION TILL­ THE END OF THE SEASON,BUT WENGER WILL STILL NEED A­ WORLD STRIKER. O.K.....HAMMED SHONIYI[MANCHESTER]UK

    From solomonbj2000, on Sat 20 Sep 8:38PM
  6. Thank you Robwilson credit where credits due i am an­ Arsenal die hard fan but respect to man U they are the­ only team with the ability to come back and give us a­ run for our money

    From VERONICA P, on Sat 20 Sep 8:38PM
  7. I am a shell-shocked Newcastle fan who is praying for­ Arsenal to win the Premiership.
    Of the so-called­ 'Big-4', only the Arsenal fans conduct­ themselves with any decorum.
    The arrogance of the other­ 3 sets of 'supporters' is breathtaking; as far­ as they are concerned, the rest of us 'small'­ clubs can go bust and they wouldn't give a­ monkey's chuff. Arsenal were again written off­ before a ball was kicked, but i tell you this much . .­ . i would love it, just love it if they are crowned­ Champions in May. Arsene over ferguson each and every­ day.

    From cameron w, on Sat 20 Sep 8:36PM
  8. I'm a Man U fan and I hope that if United don't­ retain the title this year that Arsenal are the ones to­ take it from us. They deserve respect as the only other­ team in the top 4 to play attractive football, having­ good management without irresponsible spending, loyalty­ to Wenger and faith in youth development.

    From Rob2008, on Sat 20 Sep 8:28PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    right one team in London and one team in UK YEAH­ "MAN UNITED"

    From ken, on Sat 20 Sep 8:25PM
  10. arsenal fan: congratulate for us, hope AW consistence­ in team manage ntil end of season's

    From ardiles, on Sat 20 Sep 8:25PM
  11. Thanks for the heads up Olugbayi, appreciate your­ concern. You don't have to worry about us though,­ we'll be ok, wait and see. Go gunnners!

    From joakim.janer, on Sat 20 Sep 8:25PM
  12. Wao! Isn't this the Arsenal team that was already­ consigned to the bottom table because they didn't­ but Barry, Alonso, Arshavin and a 'world-class'­ striker? The joke is on you, doomsday prophets!

    From Eki, on Sat 20 Sep 8:24PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    i am pleased with the result today and lon g may it­ continue with gods blessing and please buy two full­ backs in january and defencesive midfielder winger two­ qualiltie center halfs and a world class striker

    From Donna, on Sat 20 Sep 8:24PM
  14. we're top, nd that's how it will be come end of­ season

    From Ross M, on Sat 20 Sep 8:22PM
  15. One team in London, there's only one team in­ London................

    From andrew.flyte, on Sat 20 Sep 8:18PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    common you people you've been playing against­ Bolton get real when you play against Manu.

    From ken, on Sat 20 Sep 8:15PM
  17. wenger has found walcotts true position just like he­ found henrys... well done wenger

    From james, on Sat 20 Sep 8:12PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Arsenal fans!U shld learnt that League Championship is­ not an 100metres but it takes a consistency weekly­ points.Wenger inexperience boys will dissapoint you 4­ the LAST 7 GAMES...when their legs are tired and no­ replacement bcos u refuse to buy quality players to­ make profit.U will struggle to stay no 4 even if you­ employ @#$%!!!!Usain Bolt!!Man City will take your­ position!!!Get set for no 5 at end of season...

    From Olugbayi, on Sat 20 Sep 8:10PM
  19. lets get those injured players back to give us that­ depth to our squad,arsne is god

    From Paul, on Sat 20 Sep 8:07PM
  20. Gunner be top Man & chel also ran

    From Colin T, on Sat 20 Sep 8:05PM
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