Wenger laments 'cruel' Cup exit
Arsene Wenger claimed it was “very cruel” that Arsenal lost their grip on the FA Cup.
A goal from Stelios Giannakopoulos six minutes from time at the Reebok Stadium saw Bolton secure a place in the fifth round.
It was the Greece winger’s third goal in four games against the Gunners and completed a miserable week for north Londoners.
They were dumped out of the Carling Cup in midweek when they lost in the semi-final to Wigan.
However Wenger felt they were unlucky to go down to Bolton.
“I thought we did enough to win the game,” said the Gunners boss. “It was a match we should have won by three goals.
“We played away from home with a very young side and I cannot remember Bolton creating one chance until the moment they scored.
“We created plenty of dangerous situations in the second half.
“We were resolute and determined. We took over after 25 minutes and dominated the second half in the middle of the park.
“It is very cruel and difficult to take, losing a game like that.
“We have got knocked out in the last minutes of two cups.
“In the first game (against Wigan) we were always under threat of conceding a goal but not today.”
Robin Van Persie and Freddie Ljungberg both came close for Arsenal before Stelios broke the deadlock. He got in on the blindside of Sol Campbell to power home a header from Ricardo Gardner’s cross.
Wenger said: “It was a misunderstanding that led to the goal.
“There was a gap between Philippe Senderos and Campbell. Stelios took advantage of it.
“That’s a few times now he has scored headers against us. That is down to lack of experience I feel.
“The boys are distraught as it was one of our better away games.
“We had the right spirit and tried for every ball. We had some players who have, in my opinion, a great future.”
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce was thrilled that his side had managed to complete a cup and league double over the Gunners.
They maintained their remarkable home form after chalking up a 2-0 victory earlier in the season in the Barclays Premiership.
Given that Bolton were without a number of key players who are either away on African Nations Cup duty or injured it was a remarkable result.
Allardyce said: “We enjoy playing Arsenal, certainly Stelios does. He has scored some important goals against them to get us victories.
“To knock out the holders under the circumstances is a fantastic result for us.
“Every single player at this club is playing on top of his game at the moment.
“Arsenal may have fielded a weakened side but they still had some very talented and expensive players in their team.
“We produced the best bit of quality in the game that led to a brilliant goal. I am very proud of what we are achieving.”
