Arsenal 2-1 Bolton Wanderers: Park Chu-Young nets impressive winner to seal comeback and secure League Cup progression

Arsenal continued their resurgence with a 2-1 League Cup victory at home over Bolton Wanderer’s on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Andrey Arshavin and Park Chu-Young saw the Gunners’ come from behind after Francis Muamba’s opener, as the hosts’ remain unbeaten in the competition at the Emirates.

Arshavin nearly forced two early opportunities for the home side, with both Zat Knight and Gary Cahill slipping in succession under pressure from the Russian, before Igansi Miquel rose well to meet a corner, but the Spaniard was only able to make slight contact with ball.

Summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looked to continue his League Cup form, having scored in last month’s 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town. The youngster latched onto Miquel’s deflected cross, but his shot was blocked well by Knight, before the 18-year-old showed indecision when opting to cross at the by-line instead of pulling the trigger after his mazy run.

The former Southampton man then lost possession too easily in the middle, as Darren Pratley shrugged off his midfield counterpart before driving forward and forcing a good save from Lukasz Fabianski from just outside the box.

It was then Adam Bogdan’s turn to divert from distance – Ju-Young Park showing a rare glimmer up front with his drive from 25-yards out midway through the first half.

The South Koren continued to frustrate, however, failing to time his runs as he was called offside numerous times, before gradually beginning to drop deeper in search of the ball after being dominated physically and aerially by the Bolton backline.

Yossi Benayoun’s curling effort was only inches wide on the half-hour mark, after the Israeli showed superb skill to turn right back Gretar Steinsson inside out on the edge of the box and send the ball just past the right-hand post.

Bolton stopper Bogdan continued to look to make amends for his horror show in the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month, the 24-year-old twice thwarting Park’s albeit tame efforts from distance, before saving well from Vermaelen’s driven free kick from 25 yards.

Owen Coyle’s side made a quick-fire start to the second half, with Muamba dispossessing Emmanuel Frimpong easily in the middle before driving forward and feeding in Pratley, who in turn teed up the midfielder with a return ball which was duly slammed into the roof of the net from six yards out.

The Arsenal defense was caught napping again two minutes later, this time Klasnic being the only man to react to Kakuta’s curling cross, but the Croatian could only poke the ball over the bar.

After a sloppy finish to the first half, Arshavin was quick to tighten his end product. The Russian was invited to run by Knight and Mark Davies, and the forward duly obliged, running into the box before unleashing a low-hit shot draw the sides level.

He then turned provider, this time Cahill allowing for the 30-year-old’s advances as Arshavin held the ball well to allow Park to get back on-side, before releasing the former Monaco striker whose curled effort found its way past Bogdan and into the side netting to give Arsenal the lead.

However, it was Bolton which looked to draw parity with the visitors forcing a number of saves from Fabianski. The stopper got down well to save Kakuta’s free kick that was destined for the bottom corner before looking at odds to Chris Eagles long-range effort, which the Pole misjudged and was relieved to see loop over bar.

The 26-year-old recovered well, however, when quick off his line to stop Klasnic as the Croat looked to shoot from the penalty spot, before again diving well to stop Cahill’s header.

It continued to prove a night to forget for Klasnic, who spurned a later opportunity to equalize two minutes from times, only for his effort from the six-yard box to fly high over Fabianski’s goal.

Substitue Ryo was then on hand defensively as he made a superb last ditch intervention to prevent Cahill from the penalty spot, as the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory.

The result will further compound the misery at Bolton, as Coyle’s side sink to its eight defeat of the season.

While progression to the fifth round of the competition will yet be enough to alter the air of skepticism amongst Arsenal fan’s at the Emirates, seven wins in eight games and the return of Thomas Vermaelen will certainly ensure Arsene Wenger’s side is’t counted out before Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Follow Goal.com on to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!