Arsenal 2 Bolton 0:Arsenal showed they have the stomach for a title battle as they overcame Bolton at Emirates Stadium to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League.
For long spells the Gunners were frustrated by the managerless Trotters, who subjected Arsene Wenger's side to a severe physical test of their character.
A low 25-yard strike from Kolo Toure finally broke the visitors' determined resistance on 68 minutes. A close-range effort from substitute Tomas Rosicky wrapped up the points.
There was the expected positive start by the hosts against a team which had lost seven league games. Arsenal were dangerous down the flanks and a cut-back from Alexander Hleb from the left almost picked out Emmanuel Adebayor in the six-yard box, but the Togo striker could not make clean contact and the ball was hacked clear.
The gangly Adebayor was again the target when Bacary Sagna swung over a cross from the right. This time his glancing header flew wide.
And on 20 minutes, there was a flash-point when Gavin McCann clattered into Sagna, with both feet in a sliding challenge. Tempers boiled over and, following a brief melee, Fabregas and El Hadji Diouf were shown yellow cards by referee Mike Riley, along with McCann for the original foul.
Arsenal slowly started to up the tempo in the final 10 minutes of the first half. On 42 minutes, Croatia striker Eduardo in for injured top scorer Robin van Persie floated over a high ball from the left to the back post. Adebayor was unmarked, but timed his jump and put his header wide.
With 28 minutes left, Wenger introduced Theo Walcott and Rosicky, for Eduardo and Eboue. Fit-again Arsenal captain William Gallas came close to snatching the lead when he diverted a corner goalwards from inside the six-yard box, but Jaaskelainen reacted quickly to make a point-blank save.
However, Arsenal did not have to wait much longer for the goal to come. Ivan Campo conceded a free-kick some 25 yards out, just right of centre when he fouled Fabregas after 68 minutes.
Three men stood over the ball, which was tapped back to Toure, and the Ivory Coast defender drilled a low strike into the bottom left corner. The relief around Emirates Stadium was clear, and the hosts were soon looking for the cushion of a second goal.
Adebayor raced clear and rounded the Bolton keeper, only to then theatrically tumble near the goalline as he looked to cut the ball back to Walcott in the centre.
The England Under-21 winger then turned provider with 10 minutes left. Walcott was fed in on the right side of the area by Hleb, and his low cross was turned in by Rosicky from close range.
