Boring, boring Arsenal (not)

FA Cup 4th round replay: Bolton 1 Arsenal 3 (after extra time, FT 1-1)

There have been times in Arsenal's history - notably the era of the '71 Double-winning side and more recently the late 80s under George Graham - when Arsenal routinely won games 1-0 playing the most dour, drab style of football known to man, and deservedly earned themselves the moniker "boring, boring Arsenal". Nowadays, the style of play under Arsene Wenger couldn't be much further from that tag, and Arsenal fans now sing "One-nil to the Arsenal" in strictly tongue-in-cheek fashion.

Last night's rollercoaster FA Cup replay at the Reebok Stadium was a case in point. Four goals (including Bolton's injury time equaliser), a red card, one missed open goal and two penalty kicks sent sky high into the stands. And, at the end of it all, Arsenal emerged triumphant at the home of their bogey team.

To paraphrase Dickens: it was the best of performances, it was the worst of performances.

Firstly, the best. The build up to Adebayor's early opener showcases the fast-flowing, precise style the team constantly strives for: great team movement, quick one- and two-touch passing, and a couple of sublime examples of close-control trickery from Hleb and the 18-year-old Denilson. One slightly fortuitous deflection later and - boom! - one-nil. Thanks very much. For the rest of the first half, Arsenal's neat interplay scythes through Bolton's midfield almost at will, only to be let down by a poor final ball or wayward finishing.

It's a familiar tale; one we've seen before. The worst is yet to come, and we all know it. Bolton give fair warning in seeing an effort rebound off the frame of Manuel Almunia's goal just before the interval, and they start the second half with renewed purpose, denying the visitors time on the ball and applying increasing pressure.

And then things turn from bad to worse. A clear penalty, but the normally unflappable Gilberto lifts the ball over the bar. Five minutes from time, Adebayor capitalises on a Campo error, rounds Jaaskelainen and, faced with an unguarded goal, steers his shot against the post. The rest is inevitable. Deep into added-on time, Meite stabs home from short range and we're into extra time.

Extra time is, if anything, even more exciting. Bolton hit the post again. Then substitute Freddie Ljungberg, who has looked off the pace since his introduction, suddenly produces a predatory finish to give the visitors the advantage again. Ben Haim is sent off to reduce Bolton to ten men. Then, another penalty to Arsenal: this time Baptista emulates his fellow Brazilian by scooping his spot-kick high and not-so-handsome. Then, just when I've convinced myself that the story can only end one way - a second Bolton equaliser - Baptista breaks free and calmly passes to Adebayor to seal the tie.

Boring, boring Arsenal(!)

We shouldn't be surprised. This season, Arsenal have shown an alarming knack of conceding the opening goal, only to show great spirit in coming back to win or at least draw. On no less than fourteen occasions this season, they have rescued points from a trailing position, including late come-from-behind wins against Manchester United and Wigan, and a thrilling 6-2 win over Saturday's opponents, Blackburn. Eleven of those fourteen have been at home, preserving a proud unbeaten record at the new Emirates Stadium. Make no mistake, this is not only an exciting team, but a resilient one as well.

So, it's not just lots of goals and aesthetically pleasing football with this current Arsenal side; there is genuinely never a dull moment. It's exciting stuff to watch ... but it's not great for the heart! To be honest, I could do with the occasional return to the old boring, boring Arsenal every now and then, for the sake of my own health.

Now where are my high blood pressure pills?