It was a pleasure to see Arsenal win a Premier League game for what seems like the first time in living memory on Saturday afternoon. As it was very much a game of two halves, you can view the afternoon in two ways. The truth lies somewhere in between.

On the positive side, the comeback with ten men, from two goals down at a stadium where far more experienced Wenger line-ups have not fancied it was a triumph.

On the other hand, Bolton are abysmal. Almost certain relegation fodder. How the visitors allowed themselves to end up two goals down, and took an hour to begin playing should put the win in some kind of perspective. Arsenal’s defending was rank. Bolton should not have been allowed to cross for the first goal and Toure was easily beaten in the challenge once it came into the box. As for the second, maybe Arsene Wenger should review his policy of short passing near the Gunners’ own penalty area when the play is compressed into their half. It’s always been high risk and the price was paid when Flamini dwelt on the ball for a micro-second too long.

Still, Arsenal have failed to beat sides of similar quality since the middle of February so it was a relief to actually see them make an unlikely comeback after the hour. Diaby’s challenge that led to their being a man down was a shocker and his dismissal the correct decision. The hope has to be that all such challenges in future receive the same punishment and that they are eliminated from the game. That Diaby of all people should make such a challenge after his own experience on the receiving end in 2006 has me scratching my head about the intelligence of footballers.

Will the comeback and the late winner change the course of the season? Logic says no. The team should have beaten Bolton with ease from the kick-off rather than requiring a Lazarus performance. But as fortunes turned so disastrously with the Birmingham experience, then perhaps the reverse effect could kick in. Football can work that way and there is often no logic to the game. United’s form in the league looks irrepressible but at this stage all Arsenal can do is keep the pressure on. Winning their next two Premier League fixtures is what’s required for that, but with the squad obviously needing surgery and the small matter of a Champions League double header, it’s a huge ask.

Of course, an element of self-belief will have been gained from the Reebok experience. If another slice or two of good fortune can come the team’s way, then this season might not end up as the anti-climax it appeared to be heading for. But the defending will have to improve significantly…