Filed under: Arsenal, Bolton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Tamir Cohen's stoppage time winner killed Arsenal's title challenge at the Reebok.Robin Van Persie cancelled out Daniel Sturridge's seventh goal in nine league appearances which had given battling Bolton a deserved half time lead.
But despite bombarding the Bolton defence, Arsenal could not find the winner which would have kept their season alive.
Instead, they were caught out at the back in the dying stages as substitute Cohen, who
celebrated by taking off his Bolton shirt to reveal a T-shirt with a picture of his late father Avi on it, pounced at the near post to break Arsenal hearts.
Arsene Wenger's side are nine points behind leaders Manchester United with just four games to play.
And even if they defeat United at the Emirates next Sunday, Arsenal have given themselves too much to do.
In a thrilling encounter, Sturridge broke the deadlock moments after Wojciech Szczesny had spread himself to deny Chung-Yong Lee, the on-loan Chelsea striker pouncing from the resulting corner after Gary Cahill's header had been cleared off the line by Samir Nasri.
With their title hopes rapidly fading, Arsenal responded through captain Cesc Fabregas who hit the woodwork from 25-yards.
Yet it looked all over for Wenger's side when Sturridge, who is on loan from Chelsea, went down inside the area following Johan Djourou's 47th minute challenge.
Referee Mike Jones immediately pointed to the penalty spot, a harsh decision as Djourou made the slightest of contact.
However, justice was done when Kevin Davies's poorly struck penalty was kept out by Szczesny.
Seconds later Arsenal were back on level terms after Fabregas's surge forward resulted in Van Persie finding the net from the edge of the area.
But Arsenal could not get an all-important second despite pressing the Bolton defence, and were caught out as Cohen restored some much needed pride following last week's shambolic 5-0 FA Cup defeat against Stoke at Wembley.
REACTION:
Wenger did not mince his words after admitting Arsenal's hopes of winning the title had all but vanished:
"Our chances are minimal now but we have to continue to fight. It is all very frustrating to get just two points from the last nine available, but that has been the story of our season. I feel the players have had an outstanding attitude for the whole season but they are not to blame.
"If anybody is to blame it is me. I pick the team, I choose the players and for me they have had an outstanding attitude all season."
On heading for another season without silverware:
"Yes, it's very unsatisfactory. On paper it was one of the easiest run-ins we have had for a long, long time. But we didn't take our chances many times and that is frustrating. We feel the potential is there, but we are in a job where you have to take your chances and be realistic.
"We still lack something like maturity and experience in important situations. When you don't win you are questioned with your principles, but if something is wrong in our team it is not that.
"I'm convinced we are a good footballing side. We have not been stable enough defensively. We have conceded six goals this week and you can't afford to concede six goals in three games in April and win the championship. Defensively we have been too frail."
On vulnerable defending from set-pieces:
"I can't deny that. In games like this, it is important not to go 1-0 down. We came back to 1-1 and had the chances to score. We have given so much physically that in the end we did not have the concentration to stop the corner. When we conceded the corner, we could have just conceded the goal."
Match winner Cohen struggled to contain his emotion after his winner:
"I am so happy to score this goal as it was a very emotional moment for me after this season. It has been a very difficult but I do the best for my team. After he (Davies) missed the penalty and they scored we thought the game might be over, but we have done well and everyone did their jobs. We have collected another three points."
Sturridge said he was happy the fans had something to celebrate after last week's heavy FA Cup defeat:
"We are just delighted to have come out and worked so hard for these fantastic fans. After last
week's result we wanted to show them we had the passion. We were very unhappy with the performance last week and we wanted to show that it was just one bad day.
"I have watched The Gunners and I do like the way that they play. I have done my team (Chelsea) a favour but I am just happy to go and work hard for these fantastic fans."
WHAT IT MEANS:
The inquest is already well underway after another below-par Arsenal season. This performance mirrored their campaign - good in parts but lacking a strong mentality at the key moments. Although this was their first defeat in 17 league games, they have won only eight of those games. Wenger has to install a killer instinct his teams of the past have been famous for. This was a magnificent reaction by Bolton after their drubbing seven days earlier. They could yet match their achievements of 2006-07 when they secured a top-seven finish.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/24/bolton-2-arsenal-1-substitute-tamir-cohen-ends-arsenals-title/
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