Arsene Wenger
Wenger interested in the midfield man? REUTERS

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can still qualify for the Champions League this season, despite Wednesday's goalless draw at Bolton.

The Gunners slipped to seventh after last night's draw and now trail fourth placed Chelsea by five points.

Following three successive defeats in the Premier League, a point at the Reebok Stadium was a fillip of sorts for Wenger's side but the Frenchman remains confident his side can keep pace with their Champions League rivals.

"Of course I am confident of top four finish," Wenger is quoted in the Daily Mail. "There is a long way to go. I'm confident we can come back. We have come through a difficult period now playing in the FA Cup, playing in the Champions League and, combined, those three will be difficult.

"It is important we don't have more injuries. Wilshire? I don't know any more than you. You want your best players available when you go into February in the Champions League, the FA Cup and you want to come back into the top four you want your best players available. Of course it's frustrating.

Arsenal endured an exasperating evening as they were held by a resolute Bolton side. Robin van Persie came closest for the Gunners but his superb chip hit the woodwork.

"We took risks and we were a bit unlucky when we hit the bar and the post," he added. "I can't fault the effort, the commitment, the desire to win the game and on the positive side we haven't lost and haven't conceded a goal. But of course we have regrets because we didn't take chances."

Meanwhile, Wenger has lauded new signing Thomas Eisfeld and believes the midfielder has the potential to be a long-term success at Arsenal.

Eisfeld completed his move from Borussia Dortmund Tuesday and began training with his new team-mates immediately.

"He is a young prospect with good footballing talent," Wenger told the official Arsenal Web site.

"He has the good ingredients that could allow him to integrate into the quality of our team - the basics are technique, good movement and skill. We believe that he has a chance to develop well here.

"How much first-team football he has depends on him. Basically we planned to get him at the end of the season but we got him a bit earlier because he was at the end of his contract. We will use this period for adaptation."