Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says Arsenal blew chance of winning Premier League

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce thinks Arsenal have blown a golden opportunity to win the Premier League this season. Allardyce's Mackems team drew 0-0 with the Gunners at the Stadium of Light yesterday (24 April), and the 61-year-old boss subsequently claimed the north London team had squandered their opportunity to end their 12-year wait for the title.

Arsenal's Premier League challenge has fallen away in recent months. Asked if he thought this was going to be Arsenal's year, the Sunderland boss told Sky Sports: "Oh yes, I'm sure Arsene [Wenger] thought it was going to be his year as well.

"On the basis of what Manchester United were doing, and Chelsea, the window opened. Unfortunately for them, they haven't quite taken that opportunity and that window. But they are still in the top four again, they are still going to qualify for Europe and, of course, I would just like to be fourth from bottom."

The draw against Arsenal means Allardyce's relegation-threatened team have moved out of the drop zone on goal difference. The Sunderland manager admitted he is relieved to have their destiny in their own hands with just three games remaining in their league campaign.

"Our destiny is in our own hands with four games to go, so we'll see whether we can maintain this level of performance and produce it at Stoke City next week," he said after the Arsenal game.