Bolton Wanders beats Arsenal 2-1, ending their English Premier League title hopes
Arsenal was once again responsible for its own downfall as it was beaten 2-1 by Bolton Wanderers, courtesy of two headers coming from set pieces, both corner kicks, in the final minutes of each half. Arsenal’s title hopes were thwarted by the Wanderers at
the Reebok Stadium on Sunday, 24th April.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 made a Premier League record for himself in the match by becoming the first player to score in 7 away games but that did not help Arsenal’s cause. The Gunners are now 8 points behind Manchester United, who are on top of the table, and 2
points behind http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 who over took them for the 2nd spot after their last week’s draw against Tottenham Hotspurs.
Arsenal came to the Reebok stadium knowing that only a win would keep them in the race for the Premier League title. Arsene Wenger had made a complaint few weeks back that the schedule of the Premier League does not play to their advantage.
He had suggested that for the title contenders, the final 5, 6 games of the season should be played simultaneously so that no team has the added pressure of making ground on the other. However, his team once again had to play after Manchester United and
Chelsea who won their games on Saturday.
Gunners started the game with a positive frame of mind and Wenger, who has been short handed with injuries to some of his key players, had almost a full squad to choose from. The Frenchman put up a strong line up and went in with two strikers up front, away
from home, knowing that the Gunners needed a win to stay in the title race.
Bolton should be credited for their splendid performance against the Gunners. They knew that Arsenal’s silky football needs time and space to be effective. Those two things were exactly what the home team did not give Arsenal and Wenger’s team was forced
to chase the ball in middle of the park more than they would desire.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 were quite quick up front but Bolton’s backline looked alert and up for it. Robin van Persie, the man in excellent goal scoring form, was also kept at an arm’s length by Bolton’s defense.
Cesc Fabregas, another Arsenal player, who has had a dodgy time with his injuries this season tried his best from middle of the park but was not able to create too many chances for his front men.
Bolton had their best chance of the first half minutes before the break but Lee’s shot was palmed away by the keeper. The resulting corner was headed in the far post by Garry Cahill and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076 headed in the rebound to take the much deserved half
time lead.
The 2nd half saw Arsenal come out with much more vigour but it was once again Bolton who got the best chance to score first. Sturridge was brought down in the box and a penalty was given. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Davies-c20716 failed to score from the spot and then forth,
right from the restart, Robin van Persie played a great one two with his captain to notch an excellent goal to equalize the score.
Gunners tried hard to get the winner and constantly committed forward but it was another corner that spelled the end of their title campaign, minutes before the final whistle. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tamir-Cohen-c34618 was headed the ball towards the near post and sealed the game for
Bolton at 2-1.
This is the 7th season that Arsenal has not managed to win the league and thrown out of the race well in advance. There needs to be some real soul searching done before the next season kicks off and Arsenal may be hounded by big teams from all
across Europe, looking to snap their young talent that has been deprived of silverware for a bit too long now.
Tags: