Arsenal finally broke their run of Premier League defeats in 2012, although a 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers feels like another loss given the vital points dropped in the quest for a top four finish.
In a remarkably open game both sides had plenty of chances to seal victory, but it was a case of squandered opportunities, which again cost the Gunners dear.
Arsene Wenger’s side started very well. On the 8 minute mark a cross put in by Vermaelen was headed goalwards by Van Persie. The Dutchman’s effort beat Bogdan but was cleared off the line comfortably by Wheater.
A minute later RVP turned provider as he slotted a Bergkamp-esque ball to Ramsey who couldn’t quite find his inner Freddie to finish. It was a tame effort on the slide by the Welshman – his finishing of late has been very poor.
We weren’t playing with a high tempo, but the passing was neat and tidy. More great work from Van Persie teed up Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the youngster fired high and wide. Again, it should have been a goal. As if the Trotters needed it, the captain fired another warning over the bar on 15 minutes.
David Ngog, who once scored past Manuel Almunia at Anfield for Liverpool, had a decent effort at the near post saved by Szczesny. In response Chamberlain weaved his way up the field, created space and fired over. Ngog, almost taking the game to Arsenal on his own, replied again by causing havoc between Koscielny and Mertesacker before squeezing a second effort in quick succession just wide.
It was hard to believe a goal hadn’t been scored. At this point my stream cut out, but Twitter made it very clear that Theo Walcott had been somewhat retarded in front of goal. A missed one-on-one apparently. It didn’t come as a huge surprise.
The new stream came with an East European commentary – surprisingly I preferred it to some of the crap that is usually spouted on Sky. Song and Vermaelen both picked up yellows from Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy, the Belgian incredibly unlucky after Mark Davies took a massive dive to con the cycle-loving ref. Suddenly in the mood he also cautioned Steinsson after The Ox was cynically scythed down.
At half time it was hard to believe that a goal hadn’t been scored. We were playing pretty well, although that nagging sense that the missed chances could prove costly was familiar of many away days this season.
The Ox continued his impressive performance in the second half making several darting runs before the hour mark. Along with Mikel Arteta, who controlled the midfield with quiet authority, the young winger was our best player. Twice more my stream cut out, twice more I went in search of the dulcet co-commentary tones of Dean Sturridge on Fox Sports.
From what I could tell we were getting frustrated. Bolton weren’t affording us the same space as in the first 45 minutes and the clear-cut chances had dried up. But wait a moment; a cross from Sagna whipped to the near post saw Van Persie clip the woodwork. Seconds later Chamberlain did his best Christopher Wreh impression, only for Bogdan to tip over. RVP then had a header wide from a corner. The momentum was back.
On 68 minutes Thierry Henry entered the fray for Chamberlain. The youngster had been impressive and Wenger critics might have suggested (not for the first time) that Walcott should have been the one to make way.
Bolton started to come strong and enjoyed a string of corners as they chipped away at the Gunners defence. In open play Martin Petrov whipped in a fine ball which forced a brave block from Laurent Koscielny. Throwing caution and elbows to the wind, Owen Coyle sent on Kevin Davies for the last 15 minutes. Again my stream went down!
Another frantic search returned a stuttering Dutch version. I couldn’t see anything. Another frantic search. This time Italian.
As some stupid advert counted down I saw Van Persie channeling the quality of both Ian Wright vs Leeds United circa 1995 and Dennis Bergkamp vs Bayer Leverkusen 2002 (?) with a delightful chip that hit the bar. Walcott then lashed a volley wide. The sublime and the ridiculous.
We were into the last ten minutes. How the fuck had we not scored? Rosicky came on for Ramsey. The game suddenly became stupidly stretched with players on both sides carrying the ball sixty yards through the midfield before playing pathetic passes back to opponents.
Bolton had three great chances to score. Mark Davies skipping through on goal only to be thwarted by terrific goalkeeping by Szczesny. As the ball spilled cleared it was played to Muamba who then shot wide. Heading into the last minute it looked more likely the home side would win it. Davies, who had been a constant thorn in the side all game, fought his way into the area before dispatching a low drive just wide.
After three minutes of injury-time the ref blew for full-time. Despite a poor final ten minutes, the number of squandered chances certainly meant that this was two points dropped rather than one gained.
Another frustrating night, the likes of which we just can’t afford. The gap between us and fourth place is widening by the week. Grim times.
