Even an impressive debut from Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin could not help Arsenal avoid a third successive Barclays Premier League stalemate as Sunderland held out for a point at Emirates Stadium.

Indeed, the last time Wenger's side - who had hit four against Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff in the FA Cup at the start of the week - netted a league goal was a dramatic equaliser from Robin van Persie deep into stoppage time at Everton on January 28.

Arshavin, who was taken off just after the hour mark, almost made a dream start when he latched onto a loose ball and drilled a low strike just wide from 25 yards before then being denied by a fine save from busy Black Cats keeper Marton Fulop.

Kolo Toure had a header cleared off the line, while substitute Carlos Vela snatched at two good chances to win the game late in the second half as another opportunity to reduce the deficit on the top four went begging.

While the current scenario may be alien to the culture of free-flowing football Wenger has brought to the Gunners over the past decade, he remains confident fortunes will soon improve.

"It is an interesting challenge," said the Arsenal manager.

"In the first part of the season we conceded too many goals and scored high. In the second half of the season, we do not concede anymore, but we do not score.

"So in the final part of the season the challenge is to find a balance between being solid defensively and good attacking."

Arsenal remain six points behind Aston Villa, who lost to Chelsea, but are also looking over their shoulders as Everton target fifth spot.

Wenger feels his team need to be more ruthless in breaking down the challenges faced by a stubborn defensive display.

"I am not critical of Sunderland. We have to deal with that because that is what everybody does to us," he said.

"They gave us a problem. We have to be good enough to deal with it."

Wenger maintained: "We want to be even more determined to punish teams who refuse to play.

"I do not know whether it is becoming psychological. It looks like there's no common reason, but we had the chances against Sunderland - it was down to inches and their goalkeeper."

The Gunners boss added: "I am in the team and part of it, so I am frustrated that the guys do not get rewards because this team really wants to do well.

"I cannot fault the spirit and I believe we have to keep that as a strength and the rest will come."

Arsenal resume their Champions League campaign at home to Roma on Tuesday night.

Wenger is expecting a more open game against the Serie A side.

"I don't believe Roma will come for a goalless draw," he said.

"They will play in an Italian way, catch us on the break because they know an away goal will give them a good chance.

"We will have to have a spot-on defensive performance and score goals against them."

Sunderland are now unbeaten in their last four Premier League games, as they continue to put daylight between the relegation zone.

"We have to carry on climbing the Premier League table, and hopefully we have got enough to stay in there," said Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia, who accepted his side had been somewhat fortunate yesterday, but was happy his game plan to frustrate the Gunners had paid off.

"We have moved on, have taken a step forwards and are difficult to beat.

"We now have to win our home games, and then try to get something away from home."

Arshavin, meanwhile, was happy enough with his first appearance in a Gunners shirt, if frustrated by the final result.

"I enjoyed my debut in front of so many spectators, but am disappointed we did not get the result," he said,

"I think it was not so much of a problem for me on the pitch, but Sunderland played very defensively. All of their players stayed in the box. It was very difficult for us.

"We tried to play for a goal and had chances, but we were not happy."

Arshavin - signed from Zenit St Petersburg on transfer deadline day - feels it will not be too long before he is fully up to the pace of the English game.

"I am doing everything I can to be fully fit as soon as possible," said the Russian, who is ineligible for the remainder of the Champions League this season.

"If I had played in the Russian Premier League, I think I would have been okay, but the English Premier League is a different speed - it is quicker."