Owen Coyle hails Bolton side after recovering from FA Cup exit with victory over Arsenal

Owen Coyle, Bolton

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Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has praised the strong character shown by his players in an emphatic win over title hopefuls Arsenal, just one week after a devastating defeat at the hands of Stoke City in the FA Cup at Wembley.

Goals from Daniel Strurrdge and emotional substitute Tamir Cohen won the game for the Trotters, with the winner coming in the 90th minute from the Israeli midfielder who dedicated the goal to his father, who died tragically in December.

Coyle praised the spirit of his players after last Sunday’s massive FA Cup disappointment in an overwhelming defeat in their semi-final.

“The biggest thing for me today was that we gave a strong performance,” he told reporters. “We showed resilience and character after the tremendous disappointment of last week.

“We had a terrible day last week. That won’t leave me, that hurt will stay with me for a long time. What we had to do today was come out and put in a big performance.

“It was important we went out and showed that belief and trust in each other. The players showed tremendous resolve and spirit – I will argue with anybody that we deserved to win today. We showed real spirit and real strength of character to win a football match.”

The former Burnley manager accepted before kick-off that their opponents would be the dominant force throughout the game, but knew that, if his team stuck to their match plan, they could take all three points.

He added: “We had to accept that Arsenal would have the majority of possession but I always thought we could score. I showed that by pushing Elmander up front when Sturridge came off – I played two up top because I thought we could score.

“Football is never going to be nice and enjoyable every week. It’s the disappointments that drive me on and make me want to be better.”

Coyle also expressed his joy in seeing Cohen score the winning goal after such a difficult time.

“It was a very emotional winner for Tamir,” he continued. It was fitting that he got the winner after losing his dad.

“He’s had such a difficult year. Avi spent a week with us at the training ground a week before passing away.

“You could tell Tamir’s team-mates got to know Avi as well because he was such a lovely man. I’m delighted for him, it’s been a traumatic year.”

Post-match, Robin van Persie seemingly spat in the direction of Bolton midfielder Matthew Taylor, but the incident was not witnessed by Coyle.

On the incident he said: “I’m not aware of that spitting. If he did I would be very surprised.”