We started with Fabregas, Flamini, Gilberto, Ljungberg and Walcott across the middle: No Baptista but instead the in-form Flamini and Walcott was preferred to Hleb. It was a talented side that started against Bolton but we were shocking; the game looked like it was going to be pretty even but it was frustrating viewing once again. There were good performances from Senderos, Gilberto and Walcott but Adebayor didn’t have a clue what was going on and Ljungberg was just terrible. I really hate to say it but I think Freddie has to go this season. He’s been amazing for us and has represented Arsenal over the Wenger era but I think he’s had his day.

We conceded early with some sloppy defending from a corner, the ball was played in just near the post for Faye to score a free header. Eboue was on the post and should’ve come out to head it away but for some reason he just stood there and watched us go one-nil down. I wasn’t even at the pub yet and was listening on the radio at this point and when they scored I groaned and just knew it was going to be another one of those trips to the Reebok. We were losing with 10 minutes and unlike Hamburg I knew we wouldn’t be able to recover easily.

We attempted to fight back but we really gave nothing and you would believe we are a side meant to be challenging for the title: Losing to Bolton. It looked like we would go in at half time 1-0 down but there were 2 goals in 2 minutes just before half time. Anelka scored a wonderful dipping goal and I can’t blame anyone for it, it really was a fabulous goal. Nothing we could’ve done about that.

Then we were 2-0 surely no way back now, I was thinking about leaving the pub at this point and then Arsenal got a corner, which was surely the last kick of the half. Gilberto made a run in from outside the box and scored an open header to give us a fighting chance. I was now thinking “Yes! C’mon Arsenal, get fucking stuck in now.”

I thought we could do it now. I thought we could fight back and earn at least a draw. Don’t know whether we would’ve deserved it or not but if we played like we can we could easily score. I the second half we hit the woodwork twice and it became clear it wasn’t going to be our day at all. We were all over them at times but nothing clinical came of it, same old Arsenal. There was still time to nick a goal though which was the only thing that kept me watching. Then one last smack in the teeth as Anelka got Bolton’s third: words I wasn’t hoping on saying a couple of days ago. He was played through and may have been very slightly offside but probably wasn’t and he placed it passed Lehmann into the corner of the net. One guy in the bar said, “I don’t pay a grand a year to watch this shit,” and left. I felt exactly the same but for some reason I watched the remaining minutes. I knew we weren’t going to come back, I just felt it would be rude to walk out and I felt for all those amazing Gooners who made the long trip up to our bogey ground. Well done to them.

We are now officially out of the title race. Arsene Wenger has admitted it even though before the game he said we wouldn’t be if we lost. He’s right though, we were out of the title race long ago. Our target is now the top 4, it’s hard to take after all those years of success under Mr. Wenger. Man Utd and Chelsea drew today which was the best result for us aparantly but that title nonsence doesn’t concern us anymore. I say good luck to Manchester United to take the league off Chelsea.

This is about as low as it gets for Arsenal, surely things can only get better, and what better way to forget memories of Saturday than showing Fulham a lesson on Wednesday. It’s my first competitive away game for about 10 years and I can’t wait for it, we’ll need to win and boost the confidence ahead of the yido’s trip to the Grove on Saturday. C’mon the Arsenal, we love you.