Sunderland vs. Arsenal: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Sunderland and Arsenal had to settle for a point apiece after Sunday's Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light ended in a 0-0 draw.
Former Gunner Vito Mannone produced a number of fine saves to keep his old club at bay, with the result good enough to move Sunderland out of the relegation zone.
Sam Allardyce's side move up to 17th place in the table, dropping Norwich City into the bottom three.
As for Arsenal, the result means they remain in fourth. They sit level on points with Manchester City, who hold onto third spot on goal difference.
Manchester United are also in the running to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. They sit five points adrift in fifth but have a game in hand over the two teams above them.
Here, Bleacher Report picks out the winners and losers from a hard-fought contest at Sunderland.
Winner: Vito Mannone
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Arsenal's victory hopes fell flat as they were foiled by a familiar face at the Stadium of Light.
Vito Mannone was with the Gunners from 2005 to 2013, although he found first-team opportunities limited during his time under Arsene Wenger.
However, the Italian did his old club few favours on Sunday.
Per Squawka.com's statistics, the goalkeeper made six saves on his way to keeping a second successive clean sheet in the Premier League.
Mannone's best stop of the lot came in the opening 45 minutes, as he dived low to his right to turn aside Alexis Sanchez's dipping free-kick.
He was fortunate not to be punished for an error in the second half, as he fluffed a header after racing out of his area, but Mannone's performance helped Sunderland pick up what could prove to be a crucial point.
Loser: Olivier Giroud
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Olivier Giroud worked hard for Arsenal, including creating a glorious chance for Alex Iwobi that was blocked by Sunderland defender DeAndre Yedlin's arm.
However, the Frenchman failed to put an end to his goal drought before being substituted in the second half.
It is now 13 hours and three minutes since the striker last scored in the Premier League, according to Sky Sports Statto.
Squawka Football tweeted how defenders Roberth Huth (Leicester City) Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton) and Steve Cook (Bournemouth) have all scored three league goals in 2016—one more than Giroud's tally.
Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's official Twitter feed after the game: "Maybe a little anxiety is creeping in when we are in front of goal. Giroud is lacking confidence but you go through spells like that"
Winner: Jack Wilshere
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Jack Wilshere's long-awaited return to first-team action was a positive for Arsenal to take out of a disappointing game.
The England international replaced Mesut Ozil after 84 minutes at the Stadium of Light. According to WhoScored.com on Twitter, it was his first Premier League appearance in 336 days.
Now fully recovered from a leg injury, Wilshere's comeback is not just good news for his club. With Euro 2016 not far away, England manager Roy Hodgson will be delighted to see Wilshere playing again. The last time he played for his country, the midfielder scored twice in a 3-2 win over Slovenia.
Now, Wilshere has to prove his form and fitness in the remainder of the season to make the squad for this summer's tournament in France.
Loser: Arsene Wenger
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A 0-0 draw at lowly Sunderland is hardly a result that will satisfy Arsene Wenger's critics.
According to Chris Osborne of BBC Sport, the Arsenal manager has now seen his side win just three of their last 12 Premier League games away from the Emirates Stadium.
As Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur fight it out for the title, Arsenal are left in an all-too-familiar fight to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.
However, not all of the club's supporters will be happy with yet another top-four finish.
Pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal may be better off missing out for their long-term future, telling Sky Sports (h/t Adam Smith of MailOnline): "A lot of my friends that support Arsenal actually think to have a change they might have to not finish in the top four. It might be the best thing that could happen."
Winner: Sam Allardyce
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Sam Allardyce has Sunderland on the rise at just the right time.
A run of just one Premier League loss in their last seven outings has moved the club out of the relegation zone.
While they are only above Norwich City on goal difference, Sunderland are battling hard to retain their top-flight status. Their defence stood firm against Arsenal, recording a third clean sheet in their last four outings.
Sunderland travel to Stoke City next, then host Chelsea and Everton. With Watford to finish, the fixture list gives their fans further cause for optimism.
Allardyce told the club's official website: "We’re in charge of our own destiny and we need to make the most of that."
"We’ve climbed a huge mountain in recent months to get where we are and the Lads need to take confidence and determination from that and stay where we are."
