It was a miserable night for Liverpool as they were booed off after being outplayed and outfought by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who moved up from the bottom of the standings after securing their first away win of the season with a goal by Stephen Ward.
Arsenal's draw took them to 36 points, two behind Manchester City and Manchester United, who lead on goal difference. Chelsea move back to fourth place on 34, one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, with Bolton sixth on 29.
However, there was little sign of last-season's double-winning pedigree in the first hour as Bolton, who would have leapfrogged the Londoners with a win, worked tirelessly.
"The first half was very difficult, we didn't play so well and there was a lot of weight on our shoulders," said Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.
"In the second half we were much better and played with more confidence, and after two games in two days we must say that the players did very well."
Wigan's hopes seemed to have disappeared when Charles N'Zogbia was sent off for butting Jack Wilshere after 78 minutes but three minutes later they were level after Sebastien Squillaci headed into his own net.
Wolves had managed only one point on the road all season but fully deserved their win, earned by Ward's neat finish after 56 minutes.
