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Arsene Wenger: 'Fatigue to blame for Sunderland stalemate'

Arsene Wenger puts Arsenal's inability to get the better of strugglers Sunderland down to a lack of fitness at the end of another gruelling campaign.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he has been left feeling "frustrated" by his side's goalless draw against Sunderland this evening.

The Gunners were unable to find a way past their opponents on home soil, with opposition keeper Costel Pantilimon in particular producing a memorable display to ensure that the contest finished in a stalemate.

A point was enough to confirm Sunderland's Premier League safety for another season, while it is likely to also be enough to secure third place for Arsenal, thanks to their superior goal difference over Manchester United in fourth.

"It is an important point," Wenger told BBC Sport. "We are frustrated because we couldn't score. Sunderland are jubilant and they played like a team that wanted to be safe.

"We nearly lost the game because we were so focused on winning. We were not sharp enough, not quick enough. We are physically less fresh. We played about 58 games and you can see that."

Arsenal see out their campaign with a home game against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

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Arsenal's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina (R) gets a touch to a chipped shot from Sunderland's English-born Scottish striker Steven Fletcher (C) to tip the ball wide during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Sunderland at the
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