Martin O'Neill: 'Sunderland never bullied Jack Wilshere'

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has hit back at accusations that his side purposefully set out to target Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.

The England international was substituted during Saturday's 1-0 win for the Gunners after picking up a knock during a host of tussles with Lee Cattermole.

"I disagree with that," London24 quotes O'Neill as saying. "There was no foul on Jack Wilshere. I was wondering here whether they were thinking that a team that contained [Stephane] Sessegnon, [Jack] Colback, [Adam] Johnson and Seb Larsson is a physical side."

Sunderland currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.