The scoreline may be flattering in the end but Arsenal would point to the three important points after beating ten-man Bolton 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium to keep pace with Premier League champions Chelsea.

The Gunners went into a first half lead through defender Luarent Koscielny with his first goal for the club but they allowed the Trotters to equalise just before half time when Johan Elmander took advantage of chaos in the Arsenal defence and a flailing Manuel Almunia.

It did not take long for the Gunners to get back in front in the second half as Moroccan hitman Marouane Chamakh scored his side’s second to put them ahead.

Bolton’s England international Gary Cahill then found himself on the end of a red card after a crunching tackle from behind on Chamakh.

It was all downhil from then on for the Trotters as Arsenal ran riot. Alex Song scored his side’s third and Arsenal’s 1,000th Premier League goal under Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger while the rout was completed with seven minutes left when Carlos Vela scored the Gunners’ fourth goal of the night.

Koscielny had put the home side ahead after 24 minutes when Gunners starlet Jack Wilshere combined well with captain Cesc Fabregas, before the midfielder sent in a cross which the French defender forced over the line following a rebound from Bogdan.

Bolton snatched an equaliser just before half-time following a terrible mix up in the Arsenal defence. Koscielny’s backward header was far too soft, leaving Almunia exposed as Lee Chung-Yong darted onto the loose ball. The Korean rounded the goalkeeper, before chipping back across goal, where Elmander headed in at the far post.

On 58 minutes the Gunners again surged back in front – this time for good – after Chamakh rose to head in Fabregas’ cross.

Cahill raised the ire of Wenger and the Arsenal dugout when the England international smashed through the back of Chamakh which left referee Stuart Atwell with little option but to show him a straight red card.

Unsurprisingly, the incident left Bolton feeling hard done by and frustration began to creep into the players. Wenger then suffered another injury concern after substitute Abou Diaby had to leave the pitch after getting injured in a clash with Paul Robinson.

Song made it 3-1 when he collected a cutback from Arshavin to cleverly chip the goalkeeper from a tight angle, before substitute Vela stroked in number four with seven minutes left – and Eboue was denied what looked a penalty when tripped by Muamba.

Tags: Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers, Cesc Fabregas, English Premier League, Gary Cahill, Laurent Koscielny, Match Highlights, Match Review