Christopher Wreh pushed Arsenal's dreams of a League and Cup Double one step closer to reality with an outstanding winner against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium tonight.

The Gunners are now just three points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United with the luxury of two games in hand, and manager Arsene Wenger must believe the title is now theirs for the taking.

For Bolton, defeat was a major blow in their fight for top-flight survival after wins in their two previous matches had given them a glimpse of an escape route from the relegation zone.

Liberia international striker Wreh was Arsenal's unlikely hero. Only in the team because of Ian Wright's injury and Dennis Bergkamp's suspension, Wreh scored a stunning goal out of nothing.

Two minutes into the second half, Stephen Hughes passed the ball to Emmanuel Petit, who flicked it on to Wreh in a seemingly innocuous position 25 yards out with his back to goal. But in an instant, he had spun and hammered in an unstoppable shot that Bolton goalkeeper Keith Branagan could only watch as it flew into the roof of his net.

It was a goal Wreh's cousin George Weah would have been proud of, and his acrobatic celebration would have made Faustino Asprilla jealous.

But there were also bad moments for Arsenal. Martin Keown was given his marching orders in the 64th minute for his second bookable offence when fouling Nathan Blake on the edge of the area - Bolton howled for a penalty - and Marc Overmars could add to Arsenal's growing list of injuries and suspensions after failing to reappear for the second half.

Bolton fought all the way and put Arsenal under intense pressure for the last 20 minutes, but they were always struggling to beat the imperious Gunners defence and outstanding David Seaman.

England's first-choice goalkeeper showed his worth with a marvellous save from Alan Thompson in the 70th minute. Thompson hit a venomous first-time shot with his left foot and the ball was swerving towards Seaman's far post before the keeper flung himself to divert the ball to safety.

Nicolas Anelka had chances to extend Arsenal's lead but was too often guilty of wasting possession and trying the extravagant when he should have passed to team-mates in better positions.

Wreh went off as soon as Keown was dismissed, another defensive rock in the form of Steve Bould going on to shore up the Arsenal back division.

The final minutes were frantic. Thompson had another chance, Mark Fish volleyed wide and Gudni Bergsson side-footed a weak effort from a corner straight at Seaman.

Five of Arsenal's last six Premiership matches have ended in 1-0 victories - the familiar refrain of "1-0 to the Arsenal" has never sounded so apt - and they have not conceded a goal in the Premiership since January 17.

It is truly championship form, and now they have it all to do again in the FA Cup semi-finals against Wolves on Sunday.

Teams

Bolton: Branagan, Cox, Fish, Thompson, Phillips (Johansen 86), Bergsson, Sheridan, Todd (Salako 52), Frandsen, Blake, Holdsworth.

Subs Not Used: Ward, Fairclough, Taylor.

Booked: Cox.

Arsenal: Seaman, Winterburn, Vieira, Adams, Anelka (Platt 86), Overmars (Hughes 45), Wreh (Bould 64), Keown, Parlour, Petit, Grimandi.

Subs Not Used: Manninger, Garde.

Sent Off: Keown (65).

Booked: Keown, Bould.

Goals: Wreh 47.

Att: 25,000

Ref: K W Burge (Tonypandy).