Bolton 1 -3 Arsenal : Overview of the Madness & Ratings

So here is the story in short:

1. There was a lot of pre-match buildup including - "Bolton are Arsenal's bogey team", "Arsenal's 'pretty' footballers can't handle Bolton's thuggery", "Allardyce spurts bravado bullshit and slags Wenger off". This included the usual rubbish about Bolton's "honest" English players, Wenger's diving foreigners and all sorts of usual xenophobic nonsense that the English press loves to throw up. Wenger stuck to his guns (as he always does, and said that they would play football and try to win.

2. The story of the first-match was - Bolton going up 1-0 through Kevin Nolan early on, Arsenal equalising for 1-1 through Kolo Toure late on. Both teams were wasteful, but it was a tense, tight affair.

3. The story of this match was a little more complex. I'm tempted to use bullet points, but i'm too lazy: Arsenal played football, and how. Mesmering passing and dominant possession throughout the first half resulted only in a one goal lead. Hleb, Denilson, Rosicky and Adebayor all combining beautifully in the build-up, and the Togostick scoring with a left-footed shot via a deflection off Stelios. Diaby and Denilson were magical in the centre of midfield, controlling the play, going in for tackles, and above all always moving the ball around. This lead was almost lost just before half-time when Stelios hit the bar. Time for a new paragraph.

The second half was a little bit more even, but not much at all. Arsenal lost a bit of their flow and rhythym but still controlled the game. Baptista showed great Brazilianity to win a penalty, which Gilberto slammed high into the roof... of the stadium. Still 1-0 to the Arsenal. Bolton's influence on the game was increasing, but Arsenal countered well, and Adebayor sprinted through on goal, neatly rounded the keeper, and with the goal COMPLETELY at his mercy, he fired the ball in.. to the post, from where it rebounded away to safety. Still 1-0 to the Arsenal, but things get more tense now. Then, the predictable happened. As a few Arsenal counter-attacks and half-chances were again wasted (Baptista was particularly guilty), Bolton equalised in the 92nd minute. How? Through a corner of course, because Arsenal were once again "brilliant" with their set-piece defending (although to be fair they actually were for most of the game). With Bolton keeper Jasskalainen mucking about with Toure on the penalty spot, three players queued up unmarked at the far post, the ball was headed in, and Meite stabbed it home. Pandemonium. End of normal time, and end of paragraph.

Extra-time started off with the Arse looking nervous, and I really feared for the result. I am always confident that we can win penalty shootouts when Almunia is involved, but getting to the end of extra-time seemed like it was going to be a problem, especially when stand-in centreback Gilberto flicked a cross towards his own goal, fortunately it hit the post and was sent to safety. The first-half of extra-time ended without further event, and with both teams looking tense and tired, penalties were very possibly on the cards. Not to be so however, and two substitutes combined to give Arsenal the lead. Jeremie Aliadiere showed great pace and skill to run about 45 yards, beating about 4 or 5 players along the way, and tapped a neat ball into the path of the onrushing Freddie, who a la 2002, took the ball in his stride with his right foot, and struck a perfect early shot with his left that was only ever destined for the far corner. 2-1 to the Arsenal.

Bolton surged forward in search of an equaliser, and with their keeper up for another corner, Arsenal broke, Adebayor was clean through on goal, and Anelka fouled him from behind in the penalty area. Why was it not a red card? There was no keeper in sight, so Adeabyor had a clear goalscoring opportunity and Anelka was the last man, and he made no attempt to get the ball. All that he got was a yellow. Perhaps the referee didn't want to send off a second Bolton "footballer" after dismissing the dirty, smelly and irritating Tal Ben Haim earlier on, but it's not Arsenal's problem that people like Tal Ben Haim exist is it?

Anyways, Baptista stepped up to take the penalty, and obviously him and Gilberto are having some sort of "Best Brazilian" contest, and the Beast being his humble self, he decided to let Gilberto win and smacked the penalty even harder and more inaccurately than Gil. Still 2-1.

Then finally, Arsenal got their deserved scoreline. Baptista broke through on goal, tried to round the keeper and messed it up, and ended up "passing" the ball to Adebayor who tucked it home. He deserved that second goal, and Arsenal deserved their scoreline, and Bolton deserved absolutely nothing but a loss and a lesson in football, both of which they got.

Full time: Bolton 1 - 3 Arsenal, and Blackburn await in the next round on Saturday. This was one of the most exciting games of the season, and for both excitement and quality of football, patches of it sensational.

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Almunia (8/10) - So solid, so composed. Is this really Almunia? He's good in these phsyical games, because of his temperament. People tend to always have a go at Lehmann, especially Bolton. Almunia just gets on with it, which helps the team. His shot-stopping has never been in doubt, but this season his aerial ability, judgement and command of his area have been super.

Djourou (7/10) - Played at right-back to try and combat aerial attacks and did well. Was surprisingly declared fit after his suspected "broken nose". Started to disappear later on, and was apparently injured and subbed off for Hoyte.

Toure (7.5/10) - Some people said he struggled, but he did well. He must be exhausted, but he's such a force at the back with his pace and power. He's looked a bit out of sorts and positionally suspect, but he's always there, and always trying to drive the team forward. Got beaten by Anelka once, but didn't give him a sniff after that.

Gilberto (7.5/10) - Another oustanding performance filling in at the back from Gilberto. Very composed, and turned in a great performance, although he almost scored an own goal. He never looked confident for the penalty, and the miss was no surprise.

Clichy (8/10) - Just oustanding from the zippy Frenchman. Another one who must be completely shattered, and there's really very little relief in sight for him with Gallas still injured and Traore not being ready to play week-in, week-out yet. So quick, so alert and composed on the ball even if his passing and crossing are still off the mark. Really has come into his own over the past month or so. Was such a threat going forward and combining with Rosicky, and providing instant pace and presence on counter-attacks.

Hleb (8/10) - Immensely classy player, and never afraid to take on a game. He ran at Bolton time and time again, and was instrumental in setting up the opened. Not often the man who gives the final pass, but almost always the facilitator of it, he really is a special, unique talent. There aren't many dribblers like him, and he gives this team a whole new dimension on the right. Worked back to help out the fullback and central midfielders as always. 2/10 for the haircut thought.

Denilson (7.5) - The youngster was brilliant. What a find. So strong, so skillful. Together with Diaby he ran the show for the first 70 minutes or so, and played commitedly for all 120. Had a few lapses, but he's only 19. He plays Wengerball properly, and if Bolton's midfield is supposed to be tough, then this kid is a monster in the making. Happy birthday!

Diaby (7.5) - Time and time again, it seemed like Patrick Vieira had somehow been secretly smuggled back in to London and was playing for the Arsenal. Using his physique and winning the ball and gliding past players just like Le Grand Saucisse used to, Abou seems to have recovered well from his injury. He had quite a few awry passes, but found his feet soon enough, and was really dominant. Didn't break Campo's foot this time, but there'll be time for that at the Grove.

Rosicky (8/10) - Man of the match by a long way for the first 60-70 minutes, he faded from the game after. He tormented the Bolton defence, tackled well, and generally created almost everything in that amazing first half. He was all over the place, but always in the right place at the right time. Bolton couldn't get near him, and his style of play is perfect for situations like these. He's stronger than he looks, and almost always looks to turn and face when receving the ball so he's always got time, always got space, and is always seeing the game. Avoided all sorts of challenges, and rarely ever lost the ball. Would have been man of the match if not for Adebayor's superhuman efforts.

Baptista (4/10) - Nonsense. Wasted chance after half-chance, didn't combine well with anyone, was sluggish, and didn't look at all confident. Tried too hard at times to make up for playing shit, but this was often at the expense of teammates, especially late on where Adebayor was open in space and all that was required was a simple square ball, but Baptista dribbled and shot his wasy to nowhere. Showed bad decision making in quite a few situations, but encouragingly doesn't seem to let it get to him. Did a tricky stepover to win a penalty, but took a horrible penalty late on. I am convinced that he looks just like a Ninja turtle, but the question is... which one?

Adebayor (9/10) - Just immense. Ran from the first minute to the last minute (that's over 2 hours!). Combined well with everybody, scored two well deserved goals, but missed a sitter in the second half that would have settled the result. He's quick, he's strong, he's tricky, and he gives 150%. It was unbelievable how he just kept on running all game. Gave the Bolton defenders so many problems, and tracked back equally well, including one situation late on where he sprinted back some 60 yards to dispossess Diouf (or was it Anelka?). Man of the match by a long way. Has found his space in this team, and he loves being here, and we love having him here.

Ljungberg (8/10) - 8!! EIGHT!!! OCHO?!?!?! Yes - 8/10, because he deserves it. Not just for that super finish (which only he could have scored), but because of the way he led and guided the team when he came on. People may say he has nothing to offer anymore, but his experience is immeanse. Just watch how he dispossessed a few Bolton players, tracked back, and the positions he took up in attack and the way he tried to use the ball (not always succesfully albeit). Made two great fouls (one resulting in a booking) that were again down to experience - he made the fouls early on, before the Bolton players could leave their own halves, and both would definitely have resulted in very dangerous counters. We love you all over again Freddie!

Aliadiere (7/10) - On for Rosi in extra-time and had a profound effect on the game, setting up Freddie. Very sharp, inventive and quick. His fresh legs turned the game, and he ran at Bolton time and time again, and held the ball up very well on the flanks.

Hoyte (6/10) - Did his job, but was shaky against Diouf and Anelka. Came on for the injured(?) Djourou.

So that's the story. It's special to see this new Arsenal team developing, they all have skill, they all have camaraderie, they all love being there, and they're all about giving 150% effort. Guys like Hleb and Rosicky can easily act like primadonnas with the amount of skill that they have, but they play the game in full - attack and defence (unlike say - Pires, or quite often Henry). This is the future, and in a team full of technicians, this kind of attitude is the key to success.