Wanderers 0 ARSENAL 2: WANDERERS went on a lap of honour in front of a packed Reebok last night to celebrate securing their Premiership future.

Players saluted supporters and the fans hailed their heroes who, at the third attempt in seven roller-coaster seasons, had managed to avoid instant relegation. But no-one was under any illusions.

The 90 preceeding minutes proved that, while they will again operate in the same division as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, no way can they consider themselves in the same league!

How fortunate they were to have already been assured of survival because, with the Gunners in this form and on the crest of a 10-match winning wave, there was not the slightest chance of them toppling the Champions-elect and returning the favour Sam Allardyce felt they owed arch-rivals, Manchester United.

Arsenal are going to win the league. Of that there really is little doubt and, although Wanderers have taken points off all the main title contenders in this remarkable season, they are still light years away from competing consistently - week in week out, season in season out, with the elite.

That the Gunners won with two goals in eight first-half minutes from Freddie Ljungberg and Sylvain Wiltord, was academic from Wanderers' standpoint. That they possessed in Dennis Bergkamp a player of immense talent was admirable but did not seem to matter. That Wanderers gave as good as they got for more than half an hour was amazing, under the circumstances.

Manchester United's win at Ipswich on Saturday had rendered this fixture almost meaningless as far as Bolton fans were concerned - apart from the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping Big Sam's men might return the compliment.

They were not prepared to admit it in as many words but it was only natural that, with the pressure off, they would lose their edge. No-one wanted to win the game more than Kevin Nolan but even he found it hard to muster even token disappointment and turned to humour as he reflected on a rather meaningless defeat.

"I wanted to win this game as much as anybody because it was our last home game of the season," the teenage midfielder explained as he considered the two second half chances - a header saved by David Seaman and a powerful volley against the post - that went begging as Wanderers threatened to at least raise Arsenal's anxiety levels.

"The gaffer wanted us to win it because he wanted to go to Old Trafford and watch a good game next week."

Allardyce is still expected to be in the audience for the top of the table showdown but he knows, after last night's comprehensive win, that Arsenal will be in the driving seat. Should the clash of the Titans end in a draw, he will witness the irony of all ironies - the Gunners clinching the title on their arch-rivals' manor!

A five point advantage with just two games to go means these are exciting times for Wenger, who also has the "minor" matter of Saturday's FA Cup Final against Chelsea to keep his mind off the title chase. But the Highbury boss acknowledged how close Wanderers had come to causing a nuisance of themselves when he admitted: "If they had got it back to 2-1, the pressure of the crowd would have made it difficult for us. Bolton had no pressure on them and it might have been easier for us if they had been a bit scared. This was a really vital game for us.

"Had we not won, it would have put us in a difficult position."

Wenger was not prepared to discuss the possibility that Arsenal could clinch the title at Old Trafford, insisting he must focus first on Saturday's Cup Final at Cardiff. But nothing would give him greater pleasure.

Wanderers still have a fixture at West Ham to negotiate but, such is the luxury of knowing the game is meaningless, if not pointless, they are already turning their thoughts to next season, when they will again do what they can to compete with the Arsenals, Manchester Uniteds and Liverpools.

" We will be aiming higher next season," Nolan said. "This has been a great year for us but, hopefully, next season will be much better for the Wanderers' players, the fans and the manager.

"It's unbelievable knowing I'm going to be a Premiership player again. If we had gone back to the First Division I would have been prepared to stay and do what I could to help get the club back in the Premiership but that isn't necessary now. We're here and hopefully we'll be here for a long, long time.

"We'll see what happens in the summer now. Hopefully the gaffer will bring in good signings like he did this season and we'll do better."

Wanderers knew they would be asking for a spanking if they tried to play Arsenal at their own game so they set out to frustrate the Gunners and for half an hour they managed it. But, moments after Ray Parlour had fired a powerful shot just wide of the angle, Bergkamp showed great vision and touch to tee up Ljungberg for the first. The Dutchman - always a delight to watch - was the provider again when Wiltord caught Wanderers square and the game was over.

Allardyce agreed that Arsenal could have changed up a gear in the second half but was pleased to see his players create chances - albeit with their first on-target effort coming in the 76th minute.

"Without Arsenal asserting too much pressure, we got at them and had a couple of opportunities," the manager suggested. "I would have liked to have seen us test their nerve but it wasn't to be. Their outstanding quality was a little bit too much for us and it was a fair result.

"I'd say it is going to be difficult for anyone to catch them now. They've got the Cup Final to play for next and, if they win that, they'll be on a roll for the double.

"Our aim, right from the start of the season, was to maintain our Premiership status and, thankfully, we've managed it. Now we can look forward to next season."