Arsenal slip up again after goalless draw with Bolton

Arsenal grabbed their first point in the league in 2012 after another poor performance as they drew 0-0 with Bolton on Wednesday night. As usual Arsenal created great chances, but failed to take them as Van Persie struck the upright twice whilst Bodgan in the Bolton goal kept out the bombardment of chances that fell Arsenal's way. It was a game that saw the Gunners drop down to seventh in the table and 5 points off the Champions League places whilst also now being twelve points behind rivals Tottenham. Arsenal saw two key men return to the starting lineup for the trip to the Reebok Stadium as Sagna and Arteta returned from injuries whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain once again started. Szczesny, who was rested at the weekend in the FA Cup, returned to usual duties between the sticks.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was one of very few positives in the draw with Bolton

The first chance fell to Arsenal, Vermaelen got down the left hand side before crossing the ball onto the head of Van Persie. However his header was cleared off the line by Wheater.

The Gunners were then presented with another good opportunity as Van Persie split the defence with a ball through to Ramsey. He hit a first time shot on the stretch but the attempt was straight at Bogdan.

The Arsenal captain, Van Persie created another chance as he cut the ball back to Chamberlain. However the chance came to nothing as Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was leaning back, hit his shot wide of the goal.

Bolton's first chance of the game fell to Ngog as the ball was played over the top to him. He then out muscled Koscielny before testing Szczesny who was equal to it and kept out the shot.

Straight away from the hosts opportunity, Arsenal created one of their own as Chamberlain broke down the left hand side and then cut inside before getting to the edge of the penalty area and hitting a shot over the bar.

The Ex-Liverpool man, Ngog was then gifted another fantastic opportunity to give Bolton the lead. The ball was flicked into the path of Ngog who again got to the ball ahead of Koscielny before passing the ball just wide of the oncoming Szczesny and the goal.

It was then Arsenal's chance to squander a great chance. Oxlade-Chamberlain found Walcott who raced clear of the defence before finding himself one-on-one with Bogdan who managed to get a fingertip to the shot.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first good chance of the second period fell to Van Persie. Sagna managed to get forward and then whip in a cross to the near post towards Van Persie who got a touch to the ball, but it came off the post and bounced back out.

Oxlade-Chamberlain who was only making his second league start for the club wasn't short of confidence as he let fly from range again. The youngster cut inside and then drove forward before driving a shot just over the bar.

It was turning out to be one of those nights where nothing would go in for Arsenal as Van Persie once again hit the woodwork. The Gunners captain managed to turn his man before chipping the ball with his weaker foot onto the cross bar and back out.

Shortly after that chance Walcott had a great chance to fire home as the ball dropped to him but he sliced his volley wide.

In the dying minutes of the game, Bolton had some great chances to take all three points. Mark Davies had a strong claim for a penalty turned down after Szczesny had brought him down. The follow up eventually came to Reo-Coker who tried to place his shot, but it went inches past the post.

Davies then managed to create one final chance as he cut inside and got into the penalty area before driving a shot, just wide of the post again.

The final score finished Bolton 0-0 Arsenal.

The teams lineups:

Bolton: Bogdan, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Steinsson, Muamba, Reo-Coker(89), Petrov(81), Eagles, M.Davies, Ngog(75).
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Riley, Pratley(89), Tuncay(81), K.Davies(75), Klasnic.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Ramsey(81), Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain(69), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Coquelin, Benayoun, Rosicky(81), Arshavin, Park, Henry(69).

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 24,371