Gunners blast way to top after stunning fightback

THE cry went out ‘stand up if you want to win the Premier League’, and Arsenal stood up.

Chelsea did it too on Saturday by beating Sunderland 7-2 and Arsene Wenger’s side did it last night with a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to beat Bolton 4-2 and go top of the table for the first time since August.

Now, of course, it is up to Manchester United to do the same and the champions may well be alarmed and encouraged in equal measure by this enthralling match at the Emirates

The game encapsulated everything that is both good and bad about Arsenal this season from haphazard and nervous defending to scintillating, high-octane attacking that left the North London crowd breathless.

There was controversy, too, because Arsenal’s crucial second goal came as Bolton’s Mark Davies lay badly injured in the centre-circle, victim of a vicious tackle from William Gallas, whose left foot crashed down on the midfielder’s ankle but went unnoticed by referee Alan Wiley.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle was admirably restrained in his response, although clearly burning inside with a belief that an injustice had taken place.

“There’s no doubt it was a big turning point in the game. It’s probably closer to a red card than anything else but the referee hasn’t seen it and Arsenal – being full of fair players we’re always being told – have carried on and scored,” he said laconically.

“The referee said he never saw it. I was 40 yards away and I saw it, he was maybe five or 10. But, listen, I don’t want to make it an excuse, we could still have defended better.”

That unfortunate incident may well get disproportionate coverage in this morning’s tabloids but it should not take away from the sheer excitement, drama and tenacity of Arsenal’s comeback, inspired by Cesc Fabregas.

The mercurial midfielder drove his team forward at every opportunity and after Bolton had swept into a shock two-goal lead through Gary Cahill and Matt Taylor he was everywhere, scoring Arsenal’s second after Tomas Rosicky had replied and then watching as Thomas Vermaelen and Andriy Arshavin completed the job.

That strike from Arshavin ensured Arsenal moved above Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, level on 48 points and on goal difference but ahead of their rivals on goals scored.

“That’s important,” said Wenger. “We believe we have a real chance to win the title and I know we will have a real go. It is very important to keep a good mixture now between humility, keeping your feet on the ground, and ambition and desire to win it. But I know this team will not give up, they will fight until the end.”

That was certainly the case last because Arsenal’s flaky defence stuttered, wobbled and then disintegrated alarmingly in the first half before their attacking players saved the day

Bolton’s opening goal started the alarm bell ringing, coming after only seven minutes following a comedy of errors in the home defence. There were three separate opportunities to clear the ball, not least Gael Clichy’s woeful attempt that ballooned high into the sky for Cahill to turn and drill home left-footed.

Even with Arsenal going for an equaliser Bolton continued to break through the home rearguard, Taylor forcing a fine save from Manuel Almunia with a well-taken free-kick, so when Denilson blatantly scythed down Chung-Yong Lee as he prepared to shoot in the 28th minute it was no more than Bolton deserved when Taylor converted the penalty.

At this stage of the game the title race looked a two-horse race. But Arsenal have a thoroughbred in Fabregas and with his energy in midfield they gradually found a way back.

Rosicky’s smashed finish after being set up by the Spaniard two minutes before half-time changed the game.

Arsenal dominated from then on, equalising in controversial fashion after 52 minutes when Fabregas forced his way through two challenges to skip the ball under Jussi Jaaskelainen’s body with Bolton still complaining about Gallas’ foul on Davies.

Wenger later apologised for the foul but was upset by Coyle’s suggestion that Arsenal players should have stopped play, saying: “I think that’s unfair because the players went on, they didn’t even know what was happening behind. When you win the ball you go forward. That’s why I don’t believe you can kick the ball out every time a player is down.”

In reality Arsenal always looked like going on to win the game, with or without Wiley’s help, and they did that when Vermaelen flashed home following a 65th minute corner.

Arshavin’s neat finish after 85 minutes put the icing on the cake and the Gunners on the top of the table, even if question marks remain over their defence.

Not that the home fans were too concerned, however, because after this performance we no longer need to ask if Arsenal want to win the title. The only question is who will be last man standing.

Subs for Arsenal: Vela for Rosicky 88, Eastman for Diaby 76, Walcott for Eduardo 90

Subs for Bolton: Ricketts for Robinson 90; McCann for Davies 56, Klasnic for Lee 81,

Man of the match: Cesc Fabregas