Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits the criticism aimed at Arsenal's Arsene Wenger has taken the heat off his situation.

Bruce has come in for plenty of flak from disgruntled fans and the groans will get louder unless he improves on just one win in seven.

Bruce admitted: "I guess seeing Arsene get criticism takes a bit of heat off everybody else at the minute.

"You get criticism in this job, it's part and parcel of it. Some of it with Arsene Wenger I have to say I find ridiculous.

"The fella's had a difficult start but he's been quite incredible in what he's done."