Toothless Gunners left frustrated by Trotters

On the day Arsenal confirmed Jack Wilshere will almost certainly not play again this season, Gunners’ supporters had a depressing look at how far their team have slipped from the race for the Premier League title.

They struck the woodwork twice and Theo Walcott missed a glorious first half opening when played clean through and a point at struggling but recently resurgent Bolton means Arsene Wenger avoided the ignominy of a fourth consecutive league defeat for the first time in his 16 years in charge of the club.

But it also underlined how far the former champions have fallen, not only behind the Manchester clubs leading the chase for the title but also a handful of other wannabes who now look far better placed to clinch the fourth and final Champions League place.