Arsenal 2-1 Bolton Wanderers 1995/96

[Music] hello and welcome to Arsenal gold on today's show we've got an action-packed game from the last day of the season in 1996 as Bolton visited hyri the game was make or break for the Gunners as they knew a win would put them into next season's UFA Cup draw however it was not to be playing sailing as Bolton weren't there to make up the numbers having already been relegated and sitting bottom they wanted to show the rest of the league that they could play football ball and restore some pride it was all to play for as the fans sat down for a bumpy ride Arsenal will be hoping to end the season on a high at hyb and qualify for Europe having drawn the last three games today's visitors Bolton Wanderers are playing for pride as they contemplate life back in the Nationwide first division after just one campaign in the Premiership expectation is high at hyb this afternoon in right sporting a new peroxide hairstyle can he fire the Gunners into Europe he looks very focused ahead of kickoff so Arsenal make just the one change from the midweek draw with Liverpool Ian Wright comes back into the side at the expense of John harson who drops to the bench Bolton make five changes from their defeat at home to Southampton branagan replaces ward in goal small Todd mcanespie and patan also start with Fair cluff Phillips Thompson and Def freus making way it will be Bolton wanders to get the game underway at hyb there is so much tension in the air Arsenal need to get a good result so much is resting on it the Arsenal fans in good voice Sask churich tries to find a way through Pat rice is very animated in The Dugout paror good pass from meren now Dixon on the overlap he thinks Arsenal should have had a corner it's a great run forward from Lee [Applause] Dixon Arsenal lost one0 at buron park at the end of October John McGinley scored the winner on that occasion it was a shock result at the time and Arsenal will be looking for Revenge today good distance on the kick from Seaman meren Winterburn McGinley for Bolton Coleman [Applause] bergson good plat sliding in on Steve mesvie who takes the [Applause] throw Keith branagan with a big kick forward for Bolton David Platt trying to release the in right he's caught offside not sure whether the new hairstyle is more blond or [Applause] orange Scott cers patient build up from Bolton and that's a foul by Andy linan on mxu patalan Arsenal have to keep their concentration cellers behind the ball hon and paror are in the Arsenal wall sellers takes it he was aiming for patalan the referee spotted and infringement and the flag is up Bolton one promotion to the Premier League via a playoff final win over reading at Wembley last year they're heading straight back to the first division [Applause] though meron decent ball in minines did well very calm and composed good flick on by patalan to find McGinley trying to get the better of [Applause] linan now the Bolton fans in the clock end and not happy happy with that decision Sean McGinley has a quiet word as well with the linman here's a chance for Arsenal now and the shot goes just wi Dennis burh count with the effort it was direct football from Arsenal but it very nearly gave the Gunners the lead a whisker wide from Dennis bamp bergon mcanespie under pressure from Winterburn Arsenal win it [Applause] back paror right parlor again bamp Arsenal fans appealing for a penalty they fall on De as though those Appeals and Bolton are on the Counterattack excellent slide Challenge from linan now Bam's got space on the right hand side meren and rright are both in the middle almost found right Todd winter David Platt now excellent ball in looking three and right decent Arsenal move it was a perfect ball in from plat right couldn't direct his header on target [Applause] McGinley the ball had already gone out of Play here's cers now little trip by ber Camp free kick to Bolton Arsenal with the best chance of the game so far that Snapshot from Dennis bamp flashing just wide of Keith Bran's post sellers with a decent free kick David Seaman got a hand on the ball Bolton are looking dangerous at [Applause] times whipped in the free kick by sers both maginley and patalan were lurking meren does well to hold the ball uping for Burham stubs with the header mcanespie McGinley mcanespie again that's good play by Sasa churich and an excellent challenge as well from Paul meron Marshall meren the Arsenal fans are getting a little bit frustrated buram Platt Marshall Platt he was looking for meren but instead he gave it away to Brian small and now Bolton can seed possession very easily both teams giving the ball away cheaply stops his clearance only as far as plat now here's bur Camp his shot is charged down and branagan stops it from going behind for a corner ber Camp has gone the closest to scoring so far minines [Applause] Coleman churich lays it off for patalan small headed Away by linan comes back to small Keon giving him no room CIS [Applause] oh a lovely touch from bir camp and also from meren now paror bamp churich for [Applause] bolon solid run stopped again by linan Coleman has it for Bolton Todd minines cleared by linan Arsenal being urged on by their supporters paror right bamp trying to thread it through to meren who does well to shrug off the attentions of goodney bergson the game hasn't really got any pattern to it as [Music] yet mesp throw good play from Winterburn another lovely touch from bir [Applause] Camp winteran Coleman's Header churich dispossessed by Platt linan kot he's looking for ride it had just too much height on it the ball from [Applause] K Brian small takes the throw for Bolton finds cers intercepted by parlor foul by patalan meren he's got right further forward can't find away past Alan stubs ginley Coleman he just about got away with that mcanespie Andy tot linan back to seaman winburn's head up finds Bap back to Winterburn Scott Marshall that's a good pass to paror parer's got space he's got options as well Dixon to his right instead he chooses meren this is Dixon now running at small and not getting the better of the Bolton left back Arsenal do have the throw though churich linan Kio meren to Winter little Dummy from Platt bamp trying to release right mcanespie McGinley Coleman bergon Chic Todd churich tries to play the onew Good defending from Kon he read it really well now Arsenal can try and break it's meren to right Ian wght was looking for the top corner he was off balance though when he hit the ball nice idea but the execution didn't match it Ian right had a frustrating first half so far not much service free kick to Bolton [Music] sers it's a good ball through to McGinley small cers churich oh wonderful touch from churich [Applause] good play from meren plays the onew with Winterburn Paul meren releases bamp Burham looking for right who tried the acrobatics headed Away by stubs and then small back to branagan that was a lovely Arsenal move culminating in Bur Camp's delicate cross and the acrobat attempt from Ian wri right trying to get free of bergson good defending by the Icelandic International salot Todd STS back to branagan mcanespie patalan mesp continues his run can't pick out another white shirt with his cross though he just ran out of steam Steve mcanespie throw into bolon small Arsenal still finding it hard to break down this determined Bolton Wanderer side Marshall winteran paror linan Kia bur Camp the shots charged down it's a lovely run by the [Applause] Dutchman meren one back by McGinley [Applause] K good control from Bap running at Coleman cuts it back for David plat and what was branagan doing in the Bolton goal Winterburn Bap looking for ring actually was a header off small and then tipped over by Keith granan well actually I don't think he did get a touch to it bamp instrumental in the move small with the header and look at that from David plat it actually hit the woodwork and it was a a back healed volley that would have been some goal from David Platt I thought at first that branagan got a touch on it and tipped it over but looking at the replay branagan didn't make contact it was only the crossbar that saved [Applause] Bolton Dixon throw to Arsenal the Gunners have had the two best chances of the game bur Camp going close his shot went just wide and plat One Step nearer hitting the woodwork now the Arsenal fans are claiming that's a back pass the Final Touch was off a Bolton player don't think it was an intentional pass though linan header then Coleman meren good ball out to we in [Applause] right right lay lays it off for Dixon gets the return ball minines challenging in the air patalan churich mesie McGinley patalan he's given it away to meren they did well to get free of sellers meren out wide to right disappointing delivery from the Arsenal Striker he knows he should have done better he's been frustrated so far the referee's penalized linan for that aerial challenge sis Simon Coleman [Music] Winter's throw patal CIS Chic patalan small oh that was a dangerous delivery Bolton enjoying a good spell at the end of the first half minines Marshall with a challenge and the referee blows the halftime whistle well it's not going according to plan for the Gunners Dennis bamp with the first real chance of the game his shot flashed just wide David Platt going One Step better with a backhill volley that came off the crossbar but Bruce ROK will have to have some harsh words with his players at the interval Arsenal know that this is not good enough if they're to qualify for Europe next season at the interval then at hyb it's Arsenal nil Bolton wanders [Music] nil City [Music] [Applause] [Music] where do they get their energy from EDF energy supplying energy to millions of homes and businesses this is Dave he's shopping but he'd rather be somewhere else if you're an arsenal season ticket holder who can't make it to the game there's always someone out there who can all you have to do is log on to the official Arsenal website and follow the links for the ticket exchange and you can help other club members like Dave get to the game and make sure there isn't a spare seat in the Emirates it's safe secure and convenient and you'll get 90% of the ticket value reimbursed back against your next season ticket renewal plus Dave gets to see his beloved Arsenal if you're a member and haven't got a ticket for the match there still may be tickets available on the Arsenal ticket exchange for more information visit www.arsenal.com membership the new bigger better citen bingo loads pallets in seconds oh it's a goal true professional refle of in that's all we came here for what a goal Ching his Fitness for a while now can see where he's going doesn't matter oh and he's basted it into I'm sun to be rocking out tonight celebrate like you scored it with Patty power.com if you can't get to the next Arsenal game in person get the next best thing Arsenal TV online it's the only way to follow every Arsenal game live from anywhere in the world our coverage starts an hour before kickoff the buildup includes a pre-match interview with arson venger highlights of our last match the fans verdict then live un interrupted commentary from the match itself with me Dan robot plus analysis from an Arsenal Legend there's a live picture show from Premier League home games and you can play your part too by emailing our commentary team during the game when the final whistle goes we keep going stay online to see the first postmatch interviews an email an Arsenal Legend during our postmatch chat show you can even win a prize in our exclusive competitions that's 3 and 1/2 hours of live exclusive Ive coverage every minute of every game everywhere so subscribe now and enjoy the ultimate match day experience [Music] online no substitutions made at the interval by either side so it's as we were Arsenal need to step up their game there's a lot riding on this match Bolton are really just playing for pride having already been relegated Platt McGinley in right can't get past [Applause] Coleman Winter's throw finds right paror Smalls header away McGinley plays the onew with cers Coleman show too much of the ball to wintera now right has it taking on Todd no way past bergon minines right header but then one back by CIS he does well to get the better of paa minines Coleman patalan back to Coleman this is churich small to his left he might not need him Sasa Church trying to find a way through and his shots on target straight at David Seaman in the end but sassa Chic has definitely been the most entertaining player out there so far in the game he really is enjoying playing at hybri that would have been some goal colan bergon it's a free kick to bolon wandres Platt stubs bamp excellent tackle from Coleman Winterburn Burham making it look so easy right holds the ball up well for paror can't get his shot on target though it was a great buildup from Arsenal final shot was sliced wide though Marshall right good tackle from Coleman cot intercepted by Platt oh lovely from in right CL got bur camp and meron screaming for the ball it's meren and he was leaning back and the Arsenal fans are really frustrated at that the move started so well but the final execution was very poor and Mera knows that the move came about because of a wonderful piece of skill from in right but that's the end of R's involvement this season he gets a standing ovation from the home faithbook he hasn't had the best of games it has to be said this afternoon but his last contribution to the game was a brilliant piece of skill he's not happy at being substituted just 12 minutes into the second half and he throws down his track suit top in disgust John hson on in his place controversial decision perhaps by Bruce ROK who became Arsenal manager after leading Bolton to promotion last season hson the ssuch buram another chance for Burham perhaps he's taken it a touch too far oh and it goes just wide in the end Bo camp with the cross stroke shot and the header was from meren small Todd to cers here's cers again McGinley clatt bur Camp harson to his left paror to his right he goes it alone and very nearly scores Dennis bamp he has been the brightest spark for Arsenal going forward Burham he was just trying to place the ball in that bottom corner a substitution Now by Bolton wanders perhaps a surprise that's a churich who's been quite brilliant for the visitors is replaced by Alan Thompson Thomson Catan and Marshall those fell to the [Applause] ground it needs to be more urgency from Arsenal time is running out small tripped and Bolton have the free kick Todd sers back to Todd cellers again here's Todd still going Andy Todd what a goal from both and wonders and it's stunned hybrid just 40 minutes left to play and it's the manager's son Andy Todd who has given Bolton an unlikely lead a fantastic interchange of passes between cers and Todd made the goal and Bolton Wanderers carved open Arsenal's defense the tension has just got even more more intense the Bolton fans in the corner of the clock end are absolutely [Applause] delighted Bolton beat Arsenal at home in October and they're leading at hyri this afternoon with time really running out now for the Gunners cers who was instrumental in the buildup to the Bolton go the Bolton fans are the ones making most of the noise now in North [Applause] London Winterburn Lofts the ball forward comes out to Dixon poor ball in the end from Lee Dixon nothing seems to be coming off from Arsenal [Applause] [Music] well also we're about to make a change and they have to wait a moment or two here's Thompson run into trouble [Applause] meron now arsel are making the change Scott Marshall being replaced by another upand cominging player at hyre Paul Shaw Dixon linan [Applause] Arsenal haven't won since the sixth of April a 2-1 Victory against Leeds and they're still trailing by that Andy Todd [Applause] goal Shaw McKinley salot trying to release mesp didn't quite have the pace to get to the ball K small not out to play for an Arsenal throw paror came off Brian small another throw for Arsenal Dixon with the cross minines tries to bring it away for Bolton finds patalan back to minines The Joint managers of Bolton Roy McFarland and Colin Todd must be absolutely delighted is still leading Arsenal it's a different story for Bruce riok he left buron park for Hy Bri last summer linan back to S this is Kio Dixon paror Shaw's cross a dangerous one winter sure his shots charged out Winterburn harson bur Camp is that a foul but it won't matter because David plat is equalized 8 minutes left to play at hyb and Arsenal are back on level terms the pressure was building bergon was all over Dennis bamp but the Dutchman did really well to hold the ball out for David Platt who saw the Gap and found the back of the net suddenly the atmosphere has changed at [Applause] hyri the Arsenal players and the Arsenal fans believe now what a finale we have to the season now at [Applause] hybrid the Arsenal fans are urging on their players not a bad effort from The Substitute Alan [Applause] Thompson David PL scorer of so many vital goals over the years equalizing for [Applause] [Applause] Arsenal Bolton haven't won since the 23rd of March and they only held their lead for 6 minutes this afternoon stubs almost got caught in [Applause] trouble good play from Dixon showing fantastic tenacity Seaman with a long ball forward touch from harson stubs finds minines McGinley one back by Shaw then Platt releases Paul meren down the Left Flank good defending again from Simon Coleman who's had an excellent game at the back for Bolton Platt scorer of Arsenal's equalizer finds bur Camp there is bur Camp what a goal from the Dutchman the Dutch Master has scored a true trly superb goal and could this be the goal that guarantees European football for Aral next season thir had a really good effort in the first half and now he scored a truly brilliant goal what a difference a few minutes makes just two minutes after David Platt's equalizer Dennis ber Camp gives Arsenal the lead for the first time in the game and the atmosphere has completely changed now at [Applause] hyb there have been so many [Applause] emotions in the past couple of hours [Applause] tension frustration and now [Applause] Joy Arsenal just have a few minutes to hold on to this lead and then they'll be in the UFA cup next [Applause] season well Crowder like a 12th man [Applause] now they really have been lifted by an incredible Dennis B Camp call Bolton making a late substitution Simon Coleman who was excellent has been replaced by the young striker Nathan Blake Wales International Blake he don't have very long to impress he's just got four minutes on the [Applause] pitch Todd who open the scoring before plat equalized and then Burham gave Arsenal the lead Blake gives it away to paror and then commits the [Applause] foul listen to the Arsenal fans [Laughter] now Blake's head [Applause] McKinley good play from Lee Dixon wins the free kick as well the foul was from Alan [Applause] [Applause] Thompson 38,1 and4 people today's attendance at hybrid [Applause] sure bur [Applause] car perhaps one last attack for Bolton Dixon makes sure Nathan Blake doesn't have a [Applause] chance McGinley with the throw the seconds and the minutes are ticking away now Arsenal so close to securing European football Blake well that could have been very dangerous from Arsenal's point of view in the end the Bolton move comes to nothing the Gunners have drawn their last three League games but they're on the verge of collecting all three points this afternoon when it mattered most dangerous defending by stubs and bergson Arsenal fans want the fulltime [Applause] whistle C calls all around hybrid [Applause] patalan trying to get past the Aral defense oh and his shots on target saved by David Seaman at the second attempt one last heart in the mouth moment for gas fans [Applause] bur surging through Burham still going lays it off for John hson hson not a bad effort in the end it took a deflection so Arsenal have a corner a off the foot of Brian small some maral supporters in the clock end have started celebrating already Shaw just playing it into the corner frustrating Thompson Arsenal get the throw paror to [Applause] take [Music] sure mton just can't get the ball back [Applause] sers is really not happy with the linesman fre kicks been awarded Arsenal's way there barely be enough time to take the set piece as well listen to the crowd now at hyri the referee blows the final whistle and Arsenal have qualified for the UEFA cup next season d bamp may have taken a long time to have settled at hyb but what a difference he has made this season he's been quite magnificent and his goal this afternoon has guaranteed European football for the Gunners next season Arsenal finishing fifth in the table Bolton Rock Bottom he may have taken the lead to an an excellent goal scored by Andy Todd on 76 minutes but David Platt equalized for Arsenal 6 minutes later and on 84 minutes Dennis Burham came up with the all important goal it's been a difficult season at times for Arsenal but it's all smiles at the end Bruce rok's first campaign in charge of the Gunners and Arsenal will play in Europe next season final score at hybrid Arsenal two Bolton Wanderers [Applause] one what's an end to a league campaign snatching victory in the last few minutes with a breathtaking goal that grabbed UA Cup football but hey what was all the fuss about so I don't know what all the fuss is