From BBC   17 January 2010

Cesc Fabregas struck with a low strike across goal in the first half to finish a brilliant passing move.

Matthew Taylor wasted a great chance to equalise with a shot that he smashed over the crossbar.

Arsenal sealed victory through Fran Merida with an eight-yard strike after a cross from Eduardo.

The visiting team showed in glimpses why they are the Premier League's top scorers, slicing apart the Bolton defence with phases of sensational play.

Fabregas was the fulcrum at the hearty of most of their best moves and the only surprise was that he did not add to his tally.

Arsenal dominated a large chunk of the opening half and displayed a resolve after the break as Bolton tried to prise their way back into the contest.

Arsene Wenger's team have a game in hand on second-placed Manchester United and will move into top spot if they beat Bolton by a two-goal margin when the two teams meet again at the Emirates on Wednesday.

New Bolton boss Coyle received a generous reception from the home supporters before the game started.

But the new manager clearly faces a difficult task at his new club, who are second from bottom in the table.

The Trotters have not kept a clean sheet all season, conceded more goals at home than anyone else and won just once in the league since the end of October.

Coyle named the same team that started Gary Megson's last game in charge, a 2-2 draw with Hull - and Bolton certainly started with the passion and commitment that you would expect from a group of players out to impress a new manager.

Kevin Davies squandered a promising position with a poor first touch and Ivan Klasnic found the net from 20 yards but his effort was ruled out for offside.

However, once Arsenal started to dominate possession there was an ominous look about the contest, particularly as the returning Fabregas was allowed far too much time on the ball.

Arsenal could easily have been awarded a penalty after Jussi Jaaskelainen appeared to bring down the Spaniard - but there was no contention about the magnificence of his goal.

A phase of short, crisp passes unpicked the Bolton defence and the Gunners skipper slotted home with a precise first-time finish.

Terrible marking allowed Craig Eastmond, making his full Premier League debut, a free volley from a corner that a partially unsighted Jaaskelainen did well to save.

And Fabregas really should have added another after he connected with a low cut-back from Andrey Arshavin but he inexplicably missed the target.

It was shaping up to be a disappointing afternoon for Coyle but his team almost snatched an equaliser before the break when Davies managed to win an aerial challenge against Thomas Vermaelen.

Klasnic collected the knock-down and skilfully lifted the ball over William Gallas but he scuffed his six-yard effort and Manuel Almunia gratefully saved.

Coyle prowled the touchline after the break, imploring his players to maintain a high tempo.

And as with the first half, Bolton began strongly. Tamir Cohen made a scuffed contact with a teasing Lee cross, before Taylor wasted his glorious chance.

Klasnic picked him out and Taylor's first touch was superb but he then blazed his shot way over.

His failure was heavily punished when substitute Merida controlled a clever cross from Eduardo before striking the ball beyond Jaaskelainen.