LEAD: Arsenal's Wenger still chasing top-four spot despite slip-up

By Ben James Feb 1, 2012, 23:26 GMT

London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can still claim a top-four finish in the Premier League, despite suffering another blow to their hopes on Wednesday when they could only draw 0-0 at Bolton Wanderers.

The London side slipped to seventh after Wednesday's draw, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and have now gone four Premier League matches without a win.

Wenger said he expected his side to come on strong in the remaining 15 league games to pinch a top-four spot and a place in next season's Champions League.

'The belief is there, the desire is there, and the confidence is there,' Wenger said. 'We have come through a difficult period, and we have, of course, a fight in front of us, but we are ready for it.'

Robin van Persie hit the post and bar for Arsenal, but they almost lost close to the end when Mark Davies burst into the box and was felled by Wojciech Szczesny, only for the referee to wave away appeals for a penalty.

'When you create six or seven clear-cut chances, it is difficult not to win, and we do have regrets, but the positives have to be that we didn't concede,' Wenger said. 'We have to hope that the fact we didn't lose gives us confidence.'

Bolton are now two points above the relegation zone, much to the delight of manager Owen Coyle: 'We looked strong and powerful late on, and the minimum we were due tonight was a point.'

Newcastle United overtook both Arsenal and Liverpool to move into fifth place after something of a smash and grab 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers.

An own goal by Scott Dann put them in front on 12 minutes, but David Dunn missed a penalty for Blackburn, and the home side had 35 attempts on goal only for substitute Gabriel Obertan to pinch a second goal late on.

'You have got to have resilience, a good keeper and a good captain, and we have got that,' Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said.

'Blackburn create chances all the time because everything comes in your box. We defended with passion and with our hearts, like we have done all season, and that is why we have done so well.'

Blackburn remain third from bottom after the defeat, but manager Steve Kean said they deserved to get something out of the match.

'We controlled the game for most of the second half, and if you look at the stats, it's a very frustrating night,' he said.

'We got better after the own goal and really got a hold of the ball in the middle of the pitch. We all should have been a little more composed (in front of goal). Our performances over the last six games have been excellent, but the result tonight was poor.'

QPR are one point better off than Bolton after drawing 2-2 at Aston Villa, though they will have been disappointed to lose a 2-0 lead.

New Rangers manager Mark Hughes was delighted that one of his deadline day signings, Djibril Cisse, was on the scoresheet immediately.

'We're delighted that he has such an instant impact so early in his QPR career,' Hughes said. 'You saw his quality tonight in tight areas, where he was able to use his pace and power, and that will be effective for us in the course of the season.'

Sunderland continued their fine form under new manager Martin O'Neill with a 3-0 win over Norwich, lifting them to eighth place.

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