Arsenal v Bolton 5th May 1996 4:00pm Kick Off
Arsenal (0) 2 Bolton (0) 1 FT Platt 82 Todd 76 Bergkamp 84
A wonder goal in the dying minutes from Dutch master Dennis Bergkamp booked Arsenal's place in next season's UEFA Cup.
The Gunners had made qualification difficult for themselves with an inept display of finishing, particularly in the first half, but David Platt and Bergkamp clinched their place with late goals.
Ian Wright, sporting a new day-glo blonde hairstyle on his return from injury, snatched at every opportunity and was duly substituted in the 57th minute by John Hartson, who at last put the Bolton defence under pressure.
Arsenal, no doubt realising only a win would fulfil their UEFA Cup aspirations, mounted a relentless surge on the Bolton goal.
Paul Merson headed over from just two yards in the 58th minute and Bergkamp was just inches wide from 20 yards a minute later.
But Arsenal's dreams turned into a nightmare on 76 minutes when Andy Todd intercepted a Scott Sellars crossfield pass and found the space to calmly slot past Seaman.
Gunners boss Bruce Rioch then threw caution to the wind and brought on attacking midfielder Paul Shaw for defender Scott Marshall.
The gamble paid off when Platt reacted first to a spilled ball that fell free in Bolton's goalmouth. The England skipper instantly turned and shot past a helpless Keith Branagan.
Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure and earned their reward in the the 84th minute.
Platt fed Bergkamp, who was hovering outside the Bolton penalty box, and the Dutchman controlled the ball with his left before launching a ferocious dipping shot in to the top of Branagan's net.
The previously subdued Highbury crowd erupted into applause, realising that the Gunners would once again be competing with the best in Europe.
Arsenal: Seaman, Keown, Linighan, Marshall (Shaw, 78), Dixon, Merson, Platt, Parlour, Winterburn, Bergkamp, Wright (Hartson, 57).
Subs not used: Bartram.
Booked: Parlour, Bergkamp.
Bolton: Branagan, Bergsson, Small, McAnespie, Coleman (Blake, 86), McGinlay, Stubbs, Sellars, Paatelainen, Curcic (Thompson, 70), Todd.
Subs not used: Green.
Attendance: 38,104.
Referee: G Willard (Worthing).
