Extra-time goals see Arsenal through

Bolton Wanderers 1 Arsenal 3 (aet, 1-1 at 90 mins)

Arsenal overcame some stiff Bolton resistance to end up easy winners at the Reebok stadium.

A 90-minute equaliser meant the tie went the full distance.

Bolton came agonisingly close to going in front during the first period of extra-time – when Nolan met Diouf’s near-post cross and flicked it towards the far corner.

The midfielder raised his arms in celebration – but almost in slow motion, the ball bounced to safety off the inside of the post.

Almunia then dived low to keep out a Meite header, after Diouf had floated another free-kick into a dangerous area.

It was not long before Baptista was wasting another opportunity at the other end, dribbling an awful shot wide after being teed up by Diaby.

In the end, Arsenal were forced to rely on the experience of Ljungberg to get them out of trouble.

Jeremie Aliadiere, introduced for Rosicky in the first minute of extra-time, carved out the opportunity with a driving run at the Bolton defence.

Ljungberg timed his run to perfection – and having got himself beyond the last man, he clinically despatched a first-time shot.

Anelka had one last chance to level, after another Diouf corner had caused panic in the Arsenal box. But having taken the ball down on his chest, the Frenchman sent his volley flying over.

Ben Haim’s dismissal, for pulling back Baptista to earn a second booking, merely confirmed it was not to be Bolton’s night – although the match did not end without yet another penalty miss, Baptista failing this time after Anelka had hauled him down.

There was one more goal too, with virtually the last touch as Adebayor netted after being set up by Baptista.

INTRO: Arsenal had Freddie Ljungberg to thank as they finally ended their Bolton jinx tonight and set up an FA Cup fifth-round meeting with Blackburn.

The Gunners only had themselves to blame for being forced into an arduous period of extra-time – wasting a string of chances, including a missed Gilberto penalty, to add to Emmanuel Adebayor’s first-half strike.

Arsene Wenger’s men were made to pay when Abdoulaye Meite netted a stoppage-time equaliser, only for Ljungberg to keep his nerve when it mattered most 13 minutes from time and Adebayor to wrap up an amazing win with the last kick after Julio Baptista had missed a second penalty.