Bolton striker Kevin Davies has accused Arsenal players of "screaming" to con referees into awarding them free-kicks.

The Gunners edged to a 1-0 win over Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium, where the visitors stubborn resistance was finally broken six minutes from time when substitute Nicklas Bendtner volley in a late winner.

While it was not an over-physical encounter yesterday, there is certainly little love lost between the two sides.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was left seething following what he saw as an X-rated challenge by forward Davies on full-back Gael Clichy during the encounter at the Reebok Stadium earlier in the season.

Davies, though, maintains several of the Arsenal team play act to get decisions their way.

"Sometimes it feels like they are trying to earn you a booking, which is bit disappointing and in some of the challenges, I felt that I won the ball," the Bolton forward said.

"A few of them let out a big scream, which is a bit embarrassing really because it is a man's game.

"[Kolo] Toure did one, and he is big, strong man. He was screaming 'my leg' which is a bit unnecessary - but they get the free-kicks.

"In my eyes that is cheating the referee, they have conned him, but they are good at than and you just have to get on with the game."

Bolton were only able to name three outfield players on the substitutes' bench, such was the selection problems for manager Gary Megson.

Davies feels the team can take credit from their efforts in difficult circumstances as they prepare for the visit of champions Manchester United.

"We have only got a small squad, then we had a suspensions and a few injuries, so we are all trying to work hard and can take a lot of positives out of the game because we probably deserved a point," he said.

"If we can perform like that against Manchester United next week, then we will give them a game."