Arsenal squander chance to go top - report

Bolton 2 Arsenal 2

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left looking on in disbelief as his side squandered a two-goal lead today and the chance of overtaking Manchester United at the top of the table.

Goals from Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires put them in the driving seat at the Reebok Stadium.

However Youri Djorkaeff inspired Bolton and Arsenal were all over the place when he pulled one back.

Arsenal’s misery was complete when substitute Martin Keown scored an own goal with six minutes remaining.

Bolton, however, will be delighted with the point as it takes them within sight of safety.

Arsenal almost took the lead in the eighth minute when midfielder Ivan Campo slipped.

Ray Parlour released Thierry Henry down the left and he squared the ball across the face of the goal but Freddie Ljungberg just failed to get a vital touch.

There was a scare for Arsenal in the 13th minute when Jay-Jay Okocha’s shot was only partially cleared by Campbell.

The ball broke to Henrik Pedersen and from an acute angle his effort went inches wide of the post.

Okocha then rattled in 20-yard free kick that Seaman got the slightest of touches to and turned around the post after Parlour had tripped Campo.

Bolton were holding their own in the early stages and Bernard Mendy whipped in a shot after 23 minutes that was blocked by Ashley Cole.

Henry tried to skip away for Arsenal but was tripped by Florent Laville and the Bolton defender picked up a yellow card from referee Andy D’Urso in the process.

Pires floated in the free kick and Sol Campbell got away from his marker only to misdirect a header.

Henry was then cautioned after a challenge on Campo in the 33rd minute and the game was very untidy at this stage.

Ljungberg, however, showed a flash of inspiration nine minutes later to turn and fire in a shot that Jaaskelainen did well to palm away.

It took Arsenal only two minutes of the second half to make the breakthrough with a goal thanks to the French connection.

Pires released Henry and he scampered away down the left before cutting inside.

He then played the ball across the face of the area leaving Wiltord with a simple tap-in.

It was a goal beautifully carved out and left Bolton facing an uphill task against a side who have shown they are more than capable of protecting a lead.

Henry then tried to get Arsenal going again but was crowded out at the corner flag after a surging run.

Per Frandsen almost equalised for Bolton in the 56th minute with a powerful header following a cross from Bruno N’Gotty. However Seaman showed good reflexes to get up quickly and turn it over the bar.

A minute later Arsenal extended their lead after breaking with searing pace.

Henry was again involved threading a pass through to Pires 20 yards out and he steered a delightful shot into the corner beyond Jaaskelainen.

Arsenal manager Wenger then drafted in Keown at the back in the 68th minute with Cygan limping off.

Bolton battled away and pulled a goal back in the 74th minute when Seaman beat away a fierce 20 yard shot from Frandsen.

Djorkaeff was first to the loose ball and showed a cool head to score from the rebound.

Bolton stepped up the pace and Seaman did well to block a shot from the hard working Pedersen.

These were anxious moments for Arsenal and Gudni Bergsson flicked the ball on to the far post, only for Pedersen to be crowded out.

Bolton drew level in the 84th minute when Keown got his bearings wrong as Djorkaeff delivered a curling free kick from the left.

Keown got his head to the ball but only succeeded in sending his header beyond a stunned Seaman.

Bolton were reduced to 10 men in the final minute when Laville was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card but hung on for a welcome point.