Arsene Wenger blames busy schedule for Sunderland stalemate

Arsene Wenger has suggested that Arsenal's goalless draw away at Sunderland was down to his side's busy Premier League schedule.

The Gunners were unable to break down the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light and had to settle for just a point.

Arsenal made light work of West Bromwich Albion on Thursday evening, recording a 2-0 win that strengthened their hold on a top-four spot, but Wenger believes that his players began to tire in the latter stages of this afternoon's match.

"The second half wasn't as good but this can always happen in the second half of the third game when you have played Sunday, Thursday, Sunday," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"It leaves us having to win the next game, as always. We fight against teams who fight not to go down and we know how important being in the Premier League is."

Arsenal are now five points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, albeit having played one game more than their rivals in the race for a Champions League berth.