Black Cats survive

Sunderland produced a gutsy rearguard action to preserve their Premier League status with a tense 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Dick Advocaat's side knew a point at the Emirates Stadium would be enough to guarantee their survival and they achieved that goal with an obdurate defensive display that kept Arsenal at bay despite a barrage of pressure from the hosts.

Superbly marshalled by holding midfielder Lee Cattermole and central defenders Sebastian Coates and John O'Shea, Sunderland still needed a fine performance from goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon to emerge unscathed.

The Black Cats, now four points clear of third bottom Hull, can now start planning for next season instead of nervously facing a decisive trip to champions Chelsea in Sunday's final round of fixtures.

Despite failing to win for the fourth time in their last five matches, Arsenal have likely done enough to secure a third place finish and automatic qualification for next season's Champions League group stage.

Arsene Wenger's team are three points clear of fourth placed Manchester United with a significantly better goal difference with only one match to play.

Sunderland's point means that the final relegation place from the Premier League will be filled by either Hull or Newcastle.

Jack Wilshere, making his first Arsenal start since November following a series of ankle problems, was deployed in an unfamiliar role out on the right flank.

But the England international had an early chance to mark his return with a goal when he raced onto Alexis Sanchez's pass, only to poke his shot tamely at Pantilimon.

Wilshere had another sight of goal when Aaron Ramsey teed him up just inside the penalty area, yet once again the midfielder couldn't find the required accuracy as he blazed high over the crossbar.

Unsurprisingly Sunderland seemed intent solely on soaking up the pressure with a view to catching the Gunners on the break.

But even when they did launch a rare counter the paucity of their attacking ambition was laid bare when Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt sprinted 50 yards before looking up to discover not a single team-mate had made a supporting run.