Sunderland have secured their Premier League status for another season following a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
The Black Cats needed a point to avoid a three-way battle for survival on the final day of the campaign and they produced a resolute rearguard to frustrate the Gunners for long periods and achieve another great escape.
The hosts dominated for the entire match but found it difficult to unlock the visitors’ defence with Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott going close, while Black Cats defender Billy Jones saw an inadvertent deflection crash back off his own post.
Sunderland offered little in the first period but arguably manufactured the best chances of the match after the break with Steven Fletcher and Patrick van Aanholt forcing fine saves out of David Ospina.
Fletcher also blazed wide on the stretch from close range after getting on the end of a cross-shot from Aanholt, but it did not prove costly as Costel Pantilimon was unbeatable in the Black Cats goal.
The draw will not sit well with Arsene Wenger but he can take solace in the fact it all-but ensures Arsenal will finish in the top three and qualify for the group stages of the Champions League. Only a defeat and an unlikely seven-goal swing on the final day would see Manchester United pip them.