We Live Another Day

Yes, Arsenal live another day.

An hour and a half ago they defeated Bolton Wanderers 1 nil to enter the semi-final of the FA cup. This coming after being knocked out of the Champions Leaque last Wednesday night and drawing with Southhampton a week ago which all but ended the Gunners'chase for the Premiership top spot.

Facing a confident Bolton, only one of three clubs to have beaten Arsenal this season, at the Reebok was never an easy task. It also did not help that we were force to field a "makeshift" back 4 and also central midfield with all the injuries to the key players in the squad. To top it all Titi (Henry) had to sit out the game with a strained calf.

But sometimes, in football, things just fall your way. And tonight it was Arsenal's way.

We got an early goal, in the 3rd. minute, courtesy of the ever realiable Freddie Ljungberg, who lifted the ball over the advancing Bolton keeper, Jasskelainen, after being put through by Pires. Then, six minutes later, El-Hadji Diouf, the Trotters Senegalese striker was red carded for lashing out at Jens Lehmann following a failed appeal for a penalty.

The advantage was with the Gunners but, true to their character the 10-men Bolton displayed tremendous commitment to apply pressure on Arsenal. But this afternoon Arsene Wenger's men were up to it and in the end they soaked up all the pressure and the set-pieces, those long throw-ins, corners and freekicks awarded to the "Whites", came to naught.

The Gunners too had their chances to "kill" the game in both half. The counter attacks were typical Arsenal - passing and moving at pace. The goals, however, did not come. And Ljungberg's miss from a couple of yards, in the final minutes, when let with an open goal sums up why.

Who will be the Gunner's semi-final opponents will be known on Monday. All things considered the semi will decide whether we end the season with or without a trophy. I, like many other fans of the Gunners, hope that we will live yet another day to fight for the Cup.

(Originally posted at http://www.chitchatbola.net/blog/)