Arsenal 2 Bolton 0: Arsene Wenger says he already has all the socks he can use and the main present he might allow himself this evening, on his 58th birthday, is a single glass of wine while he watches Newcastle United's match with Tottenham Hotspur on television.

It sounds like the ascetic treat expected of the Arsenal manager but his life truly has its rich pleasures.

While he might announce that he wishes for the gift of a better performance tomorrow, against Slavia Prague in the Champions League, there was a specific satisfaction in this halting win over Bolton. He already knows how stylish Arsenal are and there is a greater need to confirm that they can muddle through when their football gets unkempt.

On Saturday the game had tottered into the second half before the Bolton goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, had to make a proper save. Even when Arsenal held the lead Emmanuel Adebayor could go round the Finn, take the ball wide and then lose his balance. The forward had been chaotic as well when previous chances fell to him.

Others were also erratic, yet consistency was maintained. The side has now won 11 consecutive games in all competitions and the realistic ambition exists of inching beyond the club record of 14 victories in a row that was achieved in 1987. There is no reason, all the same, to assume a faultless countdown.

Last season's runners-up in the Czech League ought to be dealt with but Arsenal are at Anfield next Sunday and, after entertaining Sheffield United in a League Cup tie, meet Manchester United at the Emirates the following Saturday. It was Wenger's consolation in the last campaign that his side mostly impressed against fellow members of the top four.

All is changed and now the manager has to weigh up the readiness of the league leaders to develop their title bid. "The time when my team were bullied is certainly over," said Wenger. Bolton had previously been among the persecutors and, with the caretaker manager, Archie Knox, in charge, were reminiscent of their old obstreperous selves at the weekend.

Since Nicolas Anelka was injured there was little edge to the visitors' attacking but resistance was dogged. They did not crack until a free-kick after 68 minutes when Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini teed the ball up for Kolo Toure to drive low beyond the right hand of Jaaskelainen.

With 10 minutes left, the influential Theo Walcott dodged Ricardo Gardner and crossed for his fellow substitute Tomas Rosicky to tuck in the second goal. Arsenal had been compelled to wait and that will encourage Bolton. There was a gnarled quality to the visitors and it took no prompting for Wenger to refer to the worldliness of the visitors.

That characteristic has not been sensed lately at a club that lies bottom of the Premier League with five points. In the closing phase before Sammy Lee left the Reebok, there was upheaval and, when Kevin Nolan was reinstated as captain on Saturday, it was his first appearance this month.

"We're all disappointed," the midfielder claimed of Lee's departure. "He has been a major part of this club but these decisions are made upstairs. It's important that we get a new manager in quickly but it's more important that we get the right appointment. We don't want just anyone in. But I think the board and the chairman have more about them than that."

Nolan believes the post is the hardest outside the top four because of the expectations stirred at Bolton by Sam Allardyce. The captain accepted the blame for results on the team's behalf before observing wryly that it is easier for a board to part with a manager than ditch a whole squad.

"I'm sick of people talking about Sam Allardyce," Nolan continued. "We don't want to know how he's doing.

"He's gone. We just have to get on with it and go up to Newcastle and shove it up them if we get the chance."

That might not be a decorous pledge but Bolton must regain their bloody-mindedness. Arsenal, on the other hand, are mellow and further heartened by the captain William Gallas's comeback from injury.

Wenger savours the idea of his squad as an emerging force as he prepares to take on Slavia Prague and Liverpool.

"If we get over these two hurdles we'll be very confident about dealing with Manchester United," said a manager with renewed faith in Arsenal's prospects.

• Guardian Service