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 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.
Bruce Rioch was the first to acknowledge that his two big money signings had paid back a large chunk of their £12 million transfer fees with two last gasp goals that booked Arsenal a place in Europe.
"It was a good script," declared Rioch. "Buy two and leave it to the pair of them to get you into Europe at the very end of the season.
"Bolton made it tough and when they scored first, I thought it may have been fate. But my players showed tremendous driven and energy to get back into the game. We took a lot of risks because we had prepared for every scenario apart from them scoring first, but thankfully David Platt and then Dennis Bergkamp got us out of jail with a great, great strike.
"I'm especially pleased for Platt, who has had a difficult season with so many injuries, and, regarding Dennis Bergkamp, he has answered many of the doubters who thought that he may not last the pace of the Premier League.
"I think everyone will agree he has done that and more by stamping his authority on games, and has made himself a big influence in the team. It's been a good season and I've really enjoyed it, but the last game of the season is the worst date in a manager's calendar.
"There are always all sorts of scorelines coming through and you've got to be careful not to be misled, but as soon as we heard Everton had gone one up, we told the players we needed a win and thankfully Dennis delivered."
Bolton manager Colin Todd further fuelled speculation that his captain Alan Stubbs would be joining Arsenal in Europe when he said: "I expect every one of my players to be with us next season, apart from one.
