BOLTON, England - Arsene Wenger shouldered the blame after admitting Arsenal's title chances had all but vanished following defeat to Bolton.

Wenger said his team's hopes of avoiding a sixth successive season without a trophy were "minimal" after a 2-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday.

The result left Arsenal nine points behind Premier League leader Manchester United with four games remaining.

Although Wenger's side, who entertains United at the Emirates Stadium next Sunday, can mathematically finish top, it will require an exceptional set of circumstances for it to overhaul Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Wenger did not mince his words after Tamir Cohen's last-minute goal earned Bolton a dramatic victory to all but end Arsenal's season.

The Frenchman said his third-placed team lacked maturity and experience, but admitted he was to blame for another unsatisfactory season.

"Our chances are minimal now but we have to continue to fight," Wenger said.

"It is all very frustrating to get just two points from the last nine available, but that has been the story of our season.

"I feel the players have had an outstanding attitude for the whole season but they are not to blame.

"If anybody is to blame it is me. I pick the team, I choose the players and for me they have had an outstanding attitude all season."

Not since 2005 when it won the FA Cup has Arsenal secured silverware.

"Yes, it's very unsatisfactory," said Wenger. "On paper it was one of the easiest run-ins we have had for a long, long time. But we didn't take our chances many times and that is frustrating.

"We feel the potential is there but we are in a job where you have to take your chances and be realistic.

"We still lack something like maturity and experience in important situations. When you don't win you are questioned about your principals, but if something is wrong in our team it is not that.

"I'm convinced we are a good footballing side. We have not been stable enough defensively.

"We have conceded six goals this week and you can't afford to concede six goals in three games in April and win the championship. Defensively we have been too frail."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 04/26/2011 page22)