Fab Four Arsenal Go Top

The doubters, they were many.  "They need a striker.  "They're light-weight at the back.  "They're too far behind." 

Just a sample of the sentiment from many pundits after Arsenal's 0-3 loss to Chelsea at the Emirates in November.  

Admittedly a lot of the criticism wasn't without basis.  However, I wonder if the same detractors will now come out and acknowledge that Arsenal are showing the very steal and character that was being questioned just 54 days ago.

To close an 11-point gap to a side that many predicted would go on from that victory to run away with Premier League is no stroll in Hyde Park.

Some would argue that this is a season in which none of the teams at the top seem to want to win it.  I would argue now, that Arsenal are just starting to show the kind of form that could see them put together a string of performances to take this league by the scruff of the neck.

The last three games have been huge for Arsenal.  The draw with Everton has seemingly slipped under the radar in terms of significance.  Awful conditions against a team looking for revenge to avenge a hammering at the start of the season.  Losing in the second minute of injury time, and somehow they managed to salvage a point.

A loss to Everton at home would have been curtains for any title ambitions.  Instead, it has provided a springboard for two back to back victories over a resurgent Bolton side- under the guidance of a manager who has legend status at the club- to sit atop the Barclays Premier League.

The first fixture of this double turned out to be relatively simple for The Gunners.  The return last night, was anything but. 

Owen Coyle did his homework and Bolton got their tactics spot on.  Kevin Davies was phenomenal and was my choice for Man of The Match.  Vermaelen and Gallas were second to every ball knocked in to him, and it was his presence that caused much of the confusion and panic in the defence that led to both of Bolton's goals.

How would Arsenal react?  This was it.  A two goal victory was supposed to send them top.  Now they faced a mighty battle just to salvage a point.  This was the season.  This is when we would find out how much they wanted it.  Did they even want it?

We got an emphatic answer.

Tomas Rosicky's goal just before half time provided the team with the belief that this was still within their grasp.  The eqauliser after the break was a touch fortunate with a bad tackle on Mark Davies by William Gallas not being called.  However, there was nothing fortunate about the manner in which Captain Cesc Fabregas finished. 

He is surely the best player in the Premier League this season, and if Arsenal does go on to win this title, it will because he dragged them there kicking and screaming.   

There are moments in football when you watch a player go about his business and they are what can only be described as 'in the zone.'  Fabregas has been in this zone since the cameo appearance off the bench to help beat Aston Villa. 

Once parity had been restored it was only a matter of time before Arsenal took the lead.  And they duly obliged when Thomas Vermaelen controlled and fired in from close range after Bolton failed to clear a corner.

Bolton, for their part didn't just lie down.  They continued to press forward and had a couple of chances.  The best of which fell to Tamir Cohen, but he failed to hit the target.

The final goal, the goal that sent them to the top of the Premier League was 'simply Arsenal.'  After some tight ball play around the Bolton box, Arshavin and Eduardo exchanged passes for the little Russian to then finish.

Tough times may still be ahead.  Their next four games in the Premier League are Aston Villa away, Man Utd at home, Chelsea away, and finally Liverpool at home. 

Nobody said it would be easy, but if they can come through those fixtures unscathed the title will be theirs to lose.  They have the easiest run-in's of the three contenders, with Man Utd and Chelsea to still play each other again.

But after last night, why would want to bet against them?