Gunners win again

The resistance of the managerless visitors was finally broken in the second half, with Kolo Toure and substitute Tomas Rosicky both on target for the Gunners.

Bolton, guided by veteran coach Archie Knox following the departure of Sammy Lee, battled bravely but lacked quality in the final third.

Arsenal were dangerous down the flanks and a cut-back from Alexander Hleb from the left almost picked out Emmanuel Adebayor in the six-yard box, but the Togo striker could not make clean contact and the ball was hacked clear.

The visitors were happy enough to break up play whenever possible and also get physical when necessary. And on 20 minutes, there was a flashpoint when Gavin McCann clattered into Bacary Sagna, with both feet in a sliding challenge.

The home fans were soon screaming for a penalty when Adebayor went down under a sliding challenge from McCann, but the referee was correct to rule the Bolton player had won the ball.

As the hour mark approached Adebayor exchanged a neat one-two with Eduardo and struck the ball just wide of the top right-hand corner from 20 yards, and with 28 minutes left, boss Arsene Wenger introduced Theo Walcott and Rosicky, for Eduardo and Emmanuel Eboue.

Arsenal did not have to wait much longer for the goal to come. Ivan Campo conceded a free-kick some 25 yards out, just right of centre when he fouled Cesc Fabregas after 68 minutes.

Three men stood over the ball, which was tapped back to Toure, and the Ivory Coast defender drilled a low strike into the bottom left corner.

Theo Walcott turned provider with 10 minutes left. He was fed in on the right side of the area by Hleb, and his low cross was turned in by Rosicky from close range.