Wenger rues missed chances after Sunderland draw

Missed opportunities were one of the primary reasons for Arsenal's goalless draw with Sunderland, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

As is often the case with Wenger's men, Arsenal dominated possession and had countless opportunities to break the deadlock, but a passage through Sunderland's stubborn back line never materialised.

"I thought we played well in the first half, played with good domination and created some chances, but unfortunately we didn't take them and in this kind of game you have to (get) in front," Wenger told Sky Sports after the match.

"They defended well in fairness and overall it was a very tight game in the second half. I believe we had enough chances to win the game but not enough to score today.

"It's not a result we want, we wanted to win the game but we have to deal with that and focus on the next one, that's all we can do."

Arsenal couldn't take advantage of its opportunity to reclaim third place in the table. The club finds itself in fourth place behind Manchester City on goal differential, and just five points clear of fifth-place Manchester United.

Meanwhile, the struggles continued for forward Olivier Giroud, who extended his Premier League goalless drought to 14 matches. But Wenger remained supportive of the struggling French international.

"In the second half he got stronger, but the team go less forward to him," Wenger said. "At the moment we have to support him, strikers live on confidence and the confidence we show in him as well."