Arsenal failed to earn the three points needed to keep them in the title race as weakness at the back allowed Bolton to score a late winner in the 2-1 defeat at the Reebok. Despite dominating for long periods, particularly in the second half, Arsenal lacked a cutting edge when most needed and then in the final minute allowed substitute Tamir Cohen free header to end eight successive wins of the Gunners over the Wanderers.
Arsenal started well and created early chances but Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was equal all afternoon to the visitor's efforts.
In fact Bolton recovered and began to ask questions of their own with Daniel Sturridge a constant threat and created the best chances before the break but twice Chung-Yong Lee failed to take advantage.
On 38 minutes it was corner by Lee that saw Bolton take a deserved lead. Gary Cahill headed goalwards and Samir Nasri's block on the line fell kindly to Sturridge to head home.
After the break the game began and ended dramatically. First Bolton were awarded a penalty within 30 seconds of the restart as Johan Djourou brought down Daniel Sturridge. But Kevin Davies's attempt was weak and Wojciech Szczesny easily saved.
Within a couple of minutes Arsenal had levelled. Robin van Persie played a one-two with Cesc Fabregas before driving the ball home.
Arsenal took heart and poured forward for a winner but despite plenty of possession they were once again all style but no substance when it came to finding the back of the net.
Bolton looked to be content with a draw until another corner in the 89th minute and Cohen attacked the near post and Djourou's weak challenge was insufficient prevent a powerful header crossing the line.
The harsh reality for Arsenal is that they now trail Sir Alex Ferguson's men by nine points with only 12 to play for.
Referee: Mike Jones
Venue: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 26,881
Bolton scorers: Sturridge 38, Cohen 89 Arsenal scorers: van Persie 47
BOLTON 22 Jaaskelainen 02 Steinsson 04 Robinson 05 Cahill 12 Knight 06 Muamba (yellow card) (M Davies 71) 07 Taylor (yellow card) 27 Lee 09 Elmander (Klasnic 90+2) 14 Davies (yellow card) 15 Sturridge (Cohen 85)
Substitutes 01 Bogdan, 31 Wheater, 10 Petrov, 16 M Davies, 21 Cohen, 17 Klasnic, 19 Moreno
ARSENAL 53 Szczesny 03 Sagna 06 Koscielny 20 Djourou 22 Clichy 04 Fabregas 08 Nasri 14 Walcott (Arshavin 73) 17 A Song (yellow card) (Chamakh 65 (yellow card) 19 Wilshere (yellow card) (Ramsey 84) 10 Van Persie
Substitutes 13 Lehmann, 18 Squillaci, 27 Eboue, 28 Gibbs, 16 Ramsey, 23 Arshavin, 29 Chamakh
