Supersub plunderers see off stubborn Wanderers

Another win, and we head to Anfield next week having dropped only two points this season. Forget the fact we’ve played twice as many games at home as we have away and that we’ve only gone north of London once (when we dropped those points) – we have had a fantastic start to the season.

Next week will be very tough indeed, a real challenge to our winning streak, but yesterday we showed that, when things aren’t going our way, we can switch things around a bit to make that breakthrough. The first half was nothing, really: we struggled to break Bolton down and didn’t quite have the answers to their bruising, 4-6-0 approach to the game. Nevertheless, as much as we didn’t look like scoring in the first half, nor did they, but then they hardly committed much to make a goal likely.

What impressed me though was our response in the second half. We were quicker to the ball and Wenger made a decisive double substitution, bringing on pace and trickery to the wings. It worked. Toure got his 30-yard rasper at the 400th attempt, then Theo created a lovely second for Rosicky. Sub one to sub two: job done.

Overall, the defence played well (though weren’t tested hugely), the full-backs were adventurous, Hleb was good and the subs made a real difference. That said, Flamini looked a bit weary, and Adebayor had one of those Adebayor days. The two men withdrawn for Rosicky and Walcott were disappointing too. Eduardo made little impact, while Eboue was really out of sorts. He missed a sitter and nothing he touched came off. Just as the crowd starting agitating, Wenger correctly took him off.

The win could be all down to Sagna’s hair if you ask me. Against Sunderland we let two silly goals in and almost dropped two silly points. What was atop Sagna’s head on that day? Just a short back and sides. Yesterday, we let no goals in and what was atop his head? His blond locks again. Seems clear to me. He has the fastest growing hair in the world.

Bolton have the dubious accolade of coming with the smallest away support of any league side this season, and perhaps last season – I’d say 1,000 at best – but then I don’t blame them. They aren’t much fun to watch at the best of times and on top of that they’re really struggling. Have they got too much to go down? Possibly, if they get the right man at the helm and if they can keep Anelka. But at the moment it’s not looking good for them.

Quick turnaround for Tuesday and I expect to see Gilberto back with Walcott starting. Diarra should get a shout too.

Right, that’s it. Have a pleasant Sunday.

Jim

Arsenal since about 1979. Thick, thin and all that.