Sam Allardyce and Sunderland are edging their way to safety. But although they are out of the bottom three for the first time in a month, Sunday's draw with Arsenal keeps their top-flight status in the balance.

Just one point separates them from second-bottom Newcastle and they are ahead of 18th-placed Norwich only on goal difference as the scramble for safety reaches a gritty climax.

The Black Cats have the upper hand, but with each point gained, there is the nagging feeling opportunities to turn games like this into wins have been lost.

On one hand, they have suffered just two defeats in their last eight games, and kept three clean sheets in four – hardly the form of a side sliding to the Championship.

On the other they have won only twice in 13 games, have been out of the relegation places for a mere three weeks all season and have not scored in their last three outings at home.

“Straight question, will you stay up?” boss Allardyce was asked.

“Straight answer... who knows?” was his reply.

In pictures — Sunderland 0-0 Arsenal:

Arsenal were there for the taking when they wilted ­physically in the second half, but the question is whether Sunderland can add crucial goals to their solidity.

The Gunners could have wrapped up the points in the first half, but by the end the anti-Wenger banners were again being unfurled.

The slogans, “Arsene: Thanks for the memories, but it is time to say goodbye” and a punchier, “Wenger Out” spoke of a side with a paltry three wins from their last dozen games on the road.

Olivier Giroud was substituted late on after a 14th successive league match without a goal . Not a lead striker to win you a title.

The age-old criticisms will be fired Wenger’s way:

No bottle - typified by Theo Walcott pulling out of a 50-50 challenge on the wing.

No ruthlessness up front.

A team which knocks the ball about ­beautifully but wants to pass it into the net.

Sunderland are much more basic, yet Allardyce was the more satisfied manager at full-time.

He said: “I would have been happy with a point at the start but at the end we got in the game and are slightly ­disappointed not to pinch it.

Vito Mannone did his bit with a clean sheet but Sunderland couldn't find a winner (
Image:
Scott Heppell/PA Wire)

“We showed them too much respect first half, then got in their faces.

“Another clean sheet and a very good point. For the first time out of the bottom three in months. Psychologically a boost for the players and our destiny is in our own hands.

“Next week: Clean sheet at Stoke and can we get a goal to win it? The more others around us get results, the greater the pressure. Can we now take control of this?”

For a stalemate, there was plenty of goalmouth action.

In the first half, Patrick van Aanholt went closest, hitting a post with a free-kick.

Mike Dean turned down two penalty shouts.

First, Jermain Defoe’s close-range drive hit Per Mertesacker’s arm as he turned away.

At the other end, Alex Iwobi’s shot took a slight ­deflection off Younes Kaboul and was stopped by DeAndre Yedlin’s outstretched hand.

Jermain Defoe and co haven't scored a single goal in their last three home matches (
Image:
Sunderland AFC/Getty)

“He got both decisions correct,” said Wenger.

Allardyce disagreed, claiming: “Ours was 100 per cent a penalty. He had his arms out.”

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Vito Mannone did well to save an Alexis Sanchez free-kick and Yedlin blocked the follow-up from the impressive Iwobi. Cech made a brilliant double stop from Jermain Defoe and Yann M’Vila.

When Defoe was sent clear by Lee Cattermole’s superb ball, he lobbed Cech but his effort drifted wide. Mannone denied Sanchez late on.

End to end, but neither side totally happy.

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