Bolton 2 Arsenal 1

ARSENAL’S title hopes were crushed as Tamir Cohen struck a last-gasp winner at the Reebok Stadium. The Gunners fell behind when in-form Chelsea loan star Daniel Sturridge scored a shock opener.

Sturridge was fouled by Johan Djourou in the first few seconds after half time but Kevin Davies missed the spot-kick. Almost immediately, Robin van Persie struck a leveller for the Gunners at the opposite end.

But Cohen headed home in the 89th minute to break Arsenal hearts — before dedicating the goal to his dad Avi who died in a motorbike accident in December.

Arsene Wenger’s side are now NINE POINTS behind leaders Manchester United in the title race with just four matches left.

The first half was a familiar story for Arsenal fans.

The Gunners bossed possession but struggling to create clear-cut opportunities, while Bolton’s direct approach paid off.

Their best chance came inside four minutes when Cesc Fabregas played in Theo Walcott on the right.

The England man’s strike was parried by Jussi Jaaskelainen and Samir Nasri saw his follow-up effort blocked by Gary Cahill and Zat Knight.

Fabregas forced Jussi Jaaskelainen to tip his 25-yard effort round the post before a Van Persie volley was well blocked by Cahill.

Lee Chung-Yung had a golden chance in the 37th minute, with Sturridge the architect courtesy.

The winger made good contact eight yards out but Szczesny was off his line quickly and blocked the shot.

There was no denying Bolton from the resulting corner, though, as Sturridge made the breakthrough.

Lee’s cross was headed powerfully towards goal by the impressive Cahill and, although Nasri cleared off the line, Sturridge was on hand to head in the ball.

Fabregas almost squared things before half-time but his 20-yard shot cannoned off the post with Jaaskelainen well beaten.

Things got worse for Arsenal in the opening minute of the second half and again it was Sturridge causing the problems. The striker’s neat turn took him past Djourou and, when he fell in the box under pressure from the Gunners defender, referee Mike Jones pointed to the penalty spot.

Captain Davies stepped up but his effort was tame and straight at Szczesny, who easily blocked the shot.

A little over a minute after the penalty, Van Persie picked up the ball on the right and played a one-two with Fabregas before placing the ball just inside the post.

It was the seventh successive away game in which the Dutchman had found the net — a new Premier League record.

Bolton responded well but they were indebted to their keeper for keeping them level when Samir Nasri ran on to Van Persie’s through ball in the 65th minute.

Jaaskelainen made himself big to block the initial shot and, although the ball rebounded to Nasri, the angle was too tight and Cahill was able to block his follow-up.

Johan Elmander took advantage of a defensive slip to run into the box and fire in a shot at Szczesny, who did well to palm it behind.

There was no stopping Bolton from the corner, though, as Taylor’s cross picked out the head of Cohen, who had replaced Sturridge six minutes earlier.

With the game in the 90th minute, the Israeli powered a head into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Cohen broke down in tears as he was mobbed by his team-mates but it was Arsenal who were left distraught moments later as Jones blew the final whistle.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Elmander (Klasnic 90), Muamba (Mark Davies 71), Taylor, Sturridge (Cohen 85), Kevin Davies. Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Petrov, Moreno, Wheater. Booked: Muamba, Taylor, Kevin Davies. Goals: Sturridge 38, Cohen 90.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Song (Chamakh 65), Wilshere (Ramsey 84), Walcott (Arshavin 73), Fabregas, Nasri, van Persie. Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Squillaci, Eboue, Gibbs. Booked: Song, Wilshere, Chamakh. Goals: van Persie 48.

Att: 26,881

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).