I’m a Bolton icon who scored against Arsenal in famous upset – here’s why we will beat Mikel Arteta’s men in Carabao Cup
BOLTON legend John McGinlay believes his old club can dump Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup — 30 years after his Highbury heroics.
‘Super John’ scored the opening goal when second-tier Wanderers shocked the Gunners in an FA Cup fourth-round replay back in 1994.
Arsenal had completed an FA Cup and League Cup double the previous season but lost 3-1 after extra-time to Bruce Rioch’s free-flowing side.
The Trotters are now in League One but McGinlay, 60, believes Ian Evatt’s current crop of players are capable of humiliating Mikel Arteta’s men in Wednesday’s third-round tie at the Emirates — despite their poor start to the season.
He said: “There were many occasions when Bruce Rioch was in charge of Bolton that we went into games when people gave us no chance.
“But we enjoyed proving them wrong — and that is what we have to do against Arsenal.
“We have some good young players, who just need to go out and express themselves. It’s a free hit and it comes on the back of a big 5-2 win over Reading that was much needed.
“It is the sort of night that can really click us into gear for the season. If the players play to their potential there is no reason why they can’t produce a shock.
“Arsenal are likely to make changes and that could affect their rhythm so I see it as a great opportunity for Bolton.
“They can cause Arsenal problems and it’s an occasion they must enjoy.”
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Rioch’s Bolton also saw off Everton and Aston Villa on that famous Cup run before losing to Oldham in the last eight.
And Scottish striker McGinlay, who made more than 250 appearances in five years at the Trotters, revealed they EXPECTED to turn Arsenal over.
He said: “We were the lower-league team nobody wanted to draw in the Cup.
“We had drawn 2-2 with Arsenal at Burnden Park so we knew we could be a match for them.
“It was a great feeling to score with a header, then Alan Smith equalised.
“Jason McAteer leathered one to put us back in front in extra-time and Andy Walker finished it off.
“They had pretty much the England back four, with Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn in front of David Seaman, and an excellent manager in George Graham.
Arsenal are likely to make changes and that could affect their rhythm so I see it as a great opportunity for Bolton
JOHN McGINLAY
“We respected every team we played but we knew if we played to our maximum, we could get a result.
We had David Lee on the right wing — he would rip teams apart with his pace and skill.
“One of biggest things was looking back at the footage. Arsenal were on their knees. We were extremely fit but they were out on their feet.
“Bruce Rioch was hands down the best manager I played for, there is no question about that.
“He was a great leader. He was a hard taskmaster but he was fair with you.
“He was fantastic and, looking back, that win probably sealed the Arsenal job for him.”