After showing they mean business by battling past Blackburn two weeks ago, Arsenal were yesterday not intimidated by rugby-like tactics as they eased past Bolton to consolidate second place in the table.

Having taken the lead through a Laurent Koscielny goal, the Gunners failed to keep their concentration and a defensive mistake allowed the away side to level things up just before the break. But, in the second half, goals from Marouane Chamakh, Alex Song and Carlos Vela saw Arsene Wenger’s men send a strong signal to their rivals especially with the last goal, a lesson of football passing, vision and finishing.

Speaking after the game, manager Arsene Wenger declared his side played a good game but having failed to kill Bolton off it when they had chances to do it could have proved costly as the away side are very good in midfield and can score at any moment from set pieces. Wenger also said how Owen Coyle’s men were very physical but they were also good on the ball.

When asked about the defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci, Wenger explained that Bolton was indeed a good test for them with both players showing the right tenacity and determination.

On the game, Wenger said:

Overall it was a competitive game where we dominated and created many chances but it is the kind of game, when you play Bolton, that for as long as you don’t kill the game off they can score. You can dominate 80 per cent of the game and still lose against Bolton because one or two balls, throw-ins, set pieces, can be dangerous and they are a good side in midfield as well. They marked us very tight and I think that provoked a very physical game but they played well as well.

Well don’t think [Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci] will have 18 or 19 home games like that! It was a good test for them and what I like is, for example, when Koscielny was knocked down he came back and still won every header after that. For somebody coming from the French league that is a good sign.