ARSENE WENGER avoided the unwanted record of losing four straight Premier League games for the first time in his Arsenal career.
But there was little else to cheer for the Gunners as they wasted a series of chances to put themselves back in Champions League contention.
It could have been even worse for Wenger, as Bolton had a great shout for a late penalty when Mark Davies went down under Wojciech Szczesny's challenge.Arsenal drop to seventh after a nightmare run of just one point from the last 12 available.
They could not have come much closer as Robin van Persie hit the woodwork twice and many other opportunities went begging.
It was 1995 � before Wenger took charge � that they last slipped to four league defeats in succession.
And in truth they should have put that possibility to bed inside the first 15 minutes as they carved out � and wasted � a series of chances.
Thomas Vermaelen popped up on the left and whipped over a cross for Van Persie, whose header down beat keeper Adam Bogdan but was booted off the line by David Wheater.
The Dutch master then turned provider as he slid a pass through for Aaron Ramsey but the Welshman was denied by Bogdan's save.
Wanderers appear to have turned a corner recently with three home wins in a row � although two of them came in the FA Cup.
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