BBC SPORT | Football | Premier League (2024)

Arsenal hung on in the title race by coming from 2-0 down to beat Bolton despite Abou Diaby's sending off.

Matthew Taylor headed Bolton in front from a cross by Gretar Steinsson, who was later clattered by Diaby and the referee produced a straight red.

Taylor's deflected drive doubled the lead before William Gallas volleyed home to cut the deficit.

Robin Van Persie made it 2-2 with a penalty and Arsenal won it when Jlloyd Samuel put through his own net late on.

It was a remarkable turnaround, as for large spells Arsenal failed to cope with the driving rain, slippery pitch and Bolton's greater desire.

Kolo Toure, playing at right-back because Bacary Sagna is out injured, looked a shadow of his normal self - and even Cesc Fabregas looked shockingly out of sorts in midfield.

Bolton, by contrast, were focused on their task and punished some slack defending when Taylor rose unchallenged to thump home a header from Steinsson's excellent delivery out on the right touchline.

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Further evidence of Arsenal's lack of concentration came when Diaby produced a foul throw, but if that was comedy of sorts, there was nothing funny about the Frenchman's challenge on Steinsson which followed.

He slid in and clearly planted studs on Steinsson's standing leg at ankle height, and was given his marching orders by referee Chris Foy.

Down to 10 men, Arsenal needed to hit back quickly and almost snatched an equaliser when Toure's shot deflected off Gallas and skidded narrowly wide.

The Gunners were rocked when Matthieu Flamini hesitated on the edge of the box, the ball found its way to Taylor and his side-foot shot arrowed into the corner via Gallas's ankle.

Game over, it seemed - and the end of Arsenal's fading title hopes, but then everything changed as on the hour mark Arsenal woke up, and Bolton went to sleep.

From Fabregas's corner, Gallas stole in completely unmarked at the far post to volley in and hand Arsenal a lifeline they had barely deserved.

They were level six minutes later, however, when Van Persie crashed in from the penalty spot after Gary Cahill brought down Hleb.

Van Persie had a chance to win it for Arsenal after substitute Theo Walcott cut the ball back to him but the Dutchman fired high and wide from 12 yards.

But he was not to rue his miss as Arsenal managed to scramble a victory when Fabregas's shot was deflected twice, the final touch off the unfortunate Samuel, and keeper Ali Al Habsi could not keep it out.