Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap on the Barclays Premier League’s top four after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bolton.
The Gunners dominated proceedings at the Reebok Stadium with Robin van Persie twice being denied by the woodwork but they failed to take a number of other chances.
With Newcastle beating Blackburn it meant Arsene Wenger’s side dropped to seventh in the table, while Wanderers, still just above the drop zone, edged two points ahead of Rovers.
Bolton vs Arsenal Player Ratings
Arsenal have now taken just one point from their last three away matches, although they marginally improved on their defeat at the Reebok last season.
After earning six points from a possible nine in January Owen Coyle’s side are playing with confidence and recorded their first clean sheet in 12 league matches dating back to November.
That was partly down to Arsenal’s failure to take advantage of their dominance, particularly early on, and partly to the frame of the goal in front of the travelling support.
The Reebok Stadium witnessed virtually one-way traffic in the first 20 minutes.
Arsenal’s best chance was their first when Van Persie had his header cleared off the line by David Wheater in only the ninth minute.
The home side, so organised and determined in their last league outing on this ground when they deservedly beat Liverpool 3-1, struggled to get a foothold as their opponents made all the running.
Wheater again denied Van Persie, this time by blocking his shot, after Theo Walcott had shrugged off Sam Ricketts to cross before the Holland international turned provider for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain only for the youngster to blaze over from a good position.