Coyle - Sending off hurt us

Owen Coyle felt Bolton's game was over as soon as they went down to ten men against Arsenal.

Centre-back David Wheater received a straight red card for pulling down Theo Walcott as the last line of defence on the edge of the area.

Up until then, Bolton could have got themselves back into the game following Robin van Persie's crisp finish when Chris Eagles was through on goal but fired a weak effort at Wojciech Szczesny.

Van Persie added his second with a tap-in and Alex Song struck the third which meant it was curtains for ten-man Wanderers.

"It was lost from the point we went down to ten men, it certainly made it difficult," Coyle said

"We had a great chance when Chris Eagles raided from a great ball from Petrov.

Outstanding

"The first half we were terrific and I think the goalkeeper made an outstanding save from early on in the game but that's what he's there for, he's a top-class goalkeeper.

"We were comfortable in the game, nil-nil, and I felt we had the platform to go on and win the game in the second half but if you lose a goal in 43 seconds it makes it difficult for you and David Wheater being sent off then after that it was always going to be a difficult afternoon from that point on."

The Scotsman had to re-jig his side after Arsenal target Gary Cahill was not taken to the Emirates because of illness and Stuart Holden's knee was troubling the American midfielder.

Coyle was disappointed with the manner in which the Trotters conceded their goals, particularly the first.

Terrible opener

"We've lost a terrible opener from our point of view, Van Persie will be delighted with it, but for me it was too easy for him to score and it could've been avoided in two or three different incidents defensively," he said.

"I'm sure the lads will pick the bones of it tonight and see that and that's what's disappointing."

Wanderers now have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, however Coyle is not too worried because he said it was expected considering the teams they have faced so far.

He added: "We knew the set of fixtures we were given at the start of the season, with the teams we were set to face.

"We've now played four of the teams that'll finish in the top six this season so we always knew we were in for a difficult start but we always believed we could get points from those games."