Bolton bounced back from last weekend’s FA Cup mauling to all but end Arsenal’s title hopes with a late 2-1 win at the Reebok. Daniel Sturridge took centre stage and put in a performance that boosted his burgeoning reputation, but Arsenal only had themselves to blame. Despite a saved Kevin Davies penalty, the Gunners could and should have come out on top, spurning several good second-half opportunities and although Robin Van Persie once again found the net, Arsene Wenger’s side now look like peripheral figures as United and Chelsea contest the title. Here’s the notes on yesterday’s game:
Yesterday’s result makes it five consecutive victories at the Reebok for Owen Coyle’s side and gives them the fourth best home record in the division; their haul of 35 points is bettered only by Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool, in a season that has seen them taste defeat just twice in front of their own supporters.
Unfortunately for the Trotters, just two wins on the road have proved their undoing in an otherwise impressive campaign. This midweek sees part two of the double gameweek 34 before the season finishes with (bla, SUN, blp, MCY). Buoyed by this result, Coyle will be looking to improve on his side’s abysmal away record, particularly with the above-mentioned trips still to come.
For perhaps the first time this season, Daniel Sturridge proved to be of real benefit to Chelsea. Our Scout Pick selection grabbed the opener and helped Bolton on their way to a win that leaves his parent club in pole position for second place, with Chelsea now leading Arsenal by three points and just four games left.
Seven goals and fourteen Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Points in nine games for Bolton have illustrated just what a prospect this youngster is, though credit must be given to Coyle; Sturridge seems to thrive in a 4-4-2 formation as part of the classic “big man, little man” up front partnership and the Bolton boss has even dropped Johan Elmander into central midfield to accommodate this. Question is, will he be shown the same amount of faith by Chelsea next season?
Fantasy investment may still come his way, although many may feel that, by missing Bolton’s double fixtures, the boat will have sailed. Sturridge has proven he can score against any opponent however, and another three to four goals before the season ends looks a possibility. The only concern would be an ankle injury that the striker appeared to suffer late on which saw him limp from the field. There’s little news on that this morning, but Sturridge could well be a doubt ahead of the midweek trip to Fulham.
If there’s one man who can’t be accused of shirking their duties for Arsenal this season, it’s Van Persie. His equaliser broke a Premier League record for goals scored in consecutive away games (seven) but that will be of no consequence to the Dutchman, with his side looking odds-on to finish the season empty-handed.
Our other Scout Pick forward scored his 15th league goal of 2011 and given Arsenal have scored a total of 28 top-flight goals since the turn of the year, it’s an indication not just of how much Van Persie has contributed to the cause, but how little, in turn, his team mates have failed to match his output.
It’s one win in nine games in all competitions for Arsenal, a damning record that illustrates their inability to cope when it comes to the “business end” of the season. A couple of months back they were still in the hunt for four trophies; now their season has simply capitulated. A downbeat Arsene Wenger spoke of his frustration after the defeat:
”The players are not to blame. If somebody is to blame, it’s me. I pick the team. For me, the players had an outstanding attitude all season. If you can convince me that my principles are wrong then I’m ready to change, but I feel we try to play football the proper way.
That was one of the easiest run-ins we’ve had for a long time but we didn’t take our chances many times during the season. That’s frustrating because we feel the potential is there. We still lack maturity, experience, calmness in key situations.
We have not been stable enough defensively. We have conceded six goals this week – you cannot afford to concede six goals in three games in April if you want to win the championship. Defensively, we were too frail during the season.”
Wenger will surely move in the summer to address that defensive frailty. Gary Cahill, in opposition on Sunday, presented a rather convincing CV to the Arsenal boss with yet another determined and dominant display in the Boltoin backline. He would surely seem a likely target for Wenger.
