Arsenal vs Bolton: Player Ratings and Analysis

Finally, it seems like Arsenal have gotten back on track with their 3-1 win against Bolton.

Arsenal looked confident and were threatening at goal throughout the game, which we really haven't seen from them all season.

Bolton played well defensively in the first half, but the wheels started to come off for the away side as Robin Van Persie scored 39 seconds into the second half. Bolton also went a man down as Chris Wheater took down Theo Walcott when he had a goal-scoring opportunity. 

Arsenal would then kill the game, as van Persie added another goal and Alex Song would also get on the scoresheet from a superb strike.

Now its time to take a more in depth look at the performances of each one of Arsenal's players.

Wojciech Szczesny

Rating: 8.5

It was a very simple day for the Polish keeper. He was only really challenged early in the contest and made a very fine save. After that, he really didn't have to face any trouble throughout the game as Bolton failed to get many chances close to the net.

A very deserved clean sheet, and just another day at the office for Szczesny.

Bacary Sagna

Rating: 7.5 

Sagna looked very solid again today. His injury was the biggest reason we fell apart against Blackburn last weekend. He did well on the flanks today and provided very good service to the attack.

Per Mertesacker

Rating: 7.0

Mertesacker looked very solid in the defence today. He is starting to prove to be a great asset to the side after Thomas Vermaelen's injury.

He is beginning to adapt to the Premier League very well, and he will have to come up big this season against teams like Stoke during Vermaelen's absence.

Laurent Koscielny

Rating: 8.0

Another terrific performance for the French center back today. He stopped every threat Bolton tried to create and even got up to help the attack.

He has improved tremendously this season, and when Vermaelen comes back, he is going to give Arsene Wenger a lot of problems in choosing his starting back four. 

Great game from Koscielny.

Kieran Gibbs

Rating: 7.0

Kieran is starting to make claim for Arsenal's starting left back position. He was very solid in the defence as well as the attack today. His pace saved a goal on a Bolton counterattack when he forced Chris Eagles to shoot early, allowing Szczesny deal with it easily. 

Kieran is starting to impress me a lot. If he can avoid his constant injury problems, he will have no problem justifying the selling of Gael Clichy.

Alex Song

Rating: 8.0

Alex Song put in a terrific performance today, playing well on both the attack and the defence. He held his ground tremendously in the midfield, and provided many great balls in the attacking third. 

Then, he put the icing on the cake with a sublime shot that went past Jaaskelinen and into the back of the net.

Mikel Arteta

Rating: 7.0

Arteta is starting to settle in well with this Arsenal team. He provided great passes, great runs, and was not afraid to attempt to shoot at goal. 

It won't take long till Mikel gets his first call-up to the Spanish National team.

Aaron Ramsey

Rating: 8.0

A great display by the Welsh midfielder today. Not a stellar performance, but it won't be long now until Rambo gets things going. He was a workhorse in the midfield.

He did make some good runs and assisted the first of van Persie's two goals.

Theo Walcott

Rating: 7.0

I have some mixed feelings towards Walcott's performance today. Yes, he did look threatening throughout the game and provided a great cross for van Persie to score.

However, he failed to do anything in front of goal.

When presented with an absolutely glorious chance to score, he shot it straight at the keeper. And to put salt in the wound, he pulled his hamstring near the end of the contest.

Gervinho

Rating: 7.5

Gervinho played really well today but could have played a little better. He made very fine runs into the box and looked dangerous throughout the game, but his final touch let him down today.

He could have had at least two goals today if his final touches weren't so poor.

Robin Van Persie

Rating: 10.0

Robin van Persie basically showed me why he is the best striker in the premiere league today with his performance against Bolton.

He could have easily scored more than two goals today, but he did finally got his 100th goal for Arsenal.

Our season is dependent on the health of our captain.

Van Persie was my Man of the Match.