Nicolas Anelka put Wanderers ahead after just 11 minutes, but the home side rallied with a 31st-minute goal from Tomas Rosicky and a goal just one minute after the restart courtesy of Francesc Fabregas. Ivan Campo was then sent off in the 82nd minute for Bolton for receiving his second yellow card, and Arsenal held off the visitors for all three points.

Arsene Wenger's team, which had gone winless in its last four Premiership contests, now holds a five-point edge over Bolton for the fourth and final Champions League spot.

A Nicky Hunt free-kick set up the opener for Bolton, as the defender lofted the ball deep and to the left of the Arsenal penalty area. Kevin Davies was able to get his head to the ball and drop it off for Kevin Nolan, who headed the ball towards goal. Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann got his hand to the ball, but it fell into the path of Anelka, and the former Arsenal man smacked a shot past defender William Gallas, who tried to keep it out.

The goal opened things up for both teams, but Arsenal looked to be the more dangerous side. They made their efforts pay off in the 31st minute when Emmanuel Adebayor created the chance with a cross from the right. Hunt was waiting for the cross at the back post, ready to clear it, but Rosicky snuck in and poked the ball past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to level the match.

The Gunners were now playing the free-flowing style that many fans associate with Arsenal, and they moved in front less than one minute after the restart. Gilberto slipped a pass to Fabregas, who beat defender Abdoulaye Meite and struck a fine shot from 15-yards out that beat Jaaskelainen for his first Premiership goal of the season.

Arsenal kept up the pressure, and did not allow Bolton to threaten their goal. Campo was sent off eight minutes from time after he picked up his second yellow card for a late challenge on Rosicky, and Bolton was unable to mount a late rally and left London without a point.

In other Premiership action on Saturday, third-placed Liverpool was held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester City, Aston Villa moved into the top half of the standings with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, Portsmouth downed Newcastle 2-1, Stephen Hunt scored the lone goal in Reading's 1-0 win over Fulham and Sheffield United climbed out of the relegation zone with a resounding 3-0 victory over West Ham.

On Sunday, Charlton tries to move back ahead of Sheffield United when they travel to Everton and Wigan looks to stay clear of the drop zone when Tottenham visits The JJB Stadium.