Clichy injury clouds victory

12 April 2012

Manager Arsene Wenger's delight at seeing his Arsenal side go top of the Premier League was tempered by an injury to Gael Clichy.

The full-back was taken to hospital for X-rays on his shin after a challenge by Kevin Davies, which earned the Bolton striker a yellow card. Clichy did not appear in the second half as Arsenal went on to record a 3-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium.

While Wenger admitted he did not see the incident, he said: "It is a shin injury which means the tackle was quite high. Was it an accident? Was it mistimed? Only Davies can answer that."

The good news for Arsenal was the full-back sustained only bruising and was able to join up with the rest of the Gunners squad for the journey home.

"I did not really see the impact, so I have to watch it on video," Wenger added. "We except the physical challenge and we respond well to it.

"We have no problem with a physical game. It is part of the charm of the game but kicking someone is not in the rules."

Bolton manager Gary Megson defended Davies, who opened the scoring with a header in the 14th minute before Arsenal took control.

He said: "It was nothing. Kevin has actually won the ball. It is nonsense to suggest anything otherwise.

"It was a fair challenge, a proper football challenge, and he was entitled to go for the ball. We did not try to intimidate Arsenal, that's a complete nonsense."

Arsenal roared back from Davies' early header with Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner scoring twice in the space of two minutes, before Denilson sealed the victory with three minutes to go.

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