Arsenal's top four hopes hit again; Newcastle up to 5th

Feb 1, 2012, 22:55 GMT

London - Arsenal's hopes for a top-four finish in the Premier League suffered another blow as they were held to a 0-0 draw Wednesday at lowly Bolton Wanderers.

Robin van Persie hit the post and the bar for Arsenal, but they could not find a goal and had to settle for a point, dropping to seventh, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Newcastle United moved above both Arsenal and Liverpool into fifth after a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers, while Sunderland moved up to eighth thanks to a 3-0 win over Norwich.

Arsenal are now winless in four Premier League matches, but they could not find a way through the Bolton defence.

Blackburn had more than 30 shots against Newcastle but were undone by a Scott Dann own goal on 12 minutes and a late strike by Gabriel Obertan.

Between times, David Dunn missed a penalty for the home side, who remain stuck third from bottom.

Djibril Cisse scored on his QPR debut, but the London side had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa after leading 2-0.

The draw took QPR three points above the relegation zone while Villa stayed 12th.

Fulham drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion in the night's other match.