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Sam Allardyce says Arsenal 'missed opportunity' to win Premier League

Sam Allardyce says his days of feuding with Arsene Wenger are over
Image: Sam Allardyce believes Arsenal have blown a chance to win the Premier League this season

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says Arsenal have 'missed opportunity' to win the Premier League this season.

The Gunners shared a goalless draw with Allardyce's side at the Stadium of Light on Super Sunday, a result which means they cannot win the title.

That race will be between leaders Leicester City and Tottenham - who play West Brom at White Hart Lane on Monday Night Football - while Arsenal's focus now falls on securing a Champions League place for next season.

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Thierry Henry and Jamie Redknapp reflect on penalty shouts from both teams during Sunderland’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal

However, Allardyce feels the decline of reigning champions Chelsea this season, and the inconsistency of Manchester United to challenge at the top end of the division, created a window of opportunity which has not been taken by Arsene Wenger and his players.

Asked if he thought this was going to be Arsenal's year, Allardyce said: "Oh yes, I'm sure Arsene thought it was going to be his year as well.

I'm sure Arsene thought it was going to be his year.
Sam Allardyce

"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."

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Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry reflect on Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Sunderland and insist Arsene Wenger's side now face a battle to remain in the top four

Sunday's point meant Sunderland moved out of the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference although they, Norwich and Newcastle are separated by a single point with the Black Cats and the Canaries having four games each left to play and the Magpies three.

Allardyce added: "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."