Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that Steve Bruce wasn't the reason behind Sunderland's poor form in the Premier League.

The former Birmingham City manager was axed from his post on Wearside following just two wins this season.

"I think it is a mistake because the one to question at Sunderland is certainly not Steve Bruce," Wenger told the club's official website. "He has competence, the desire to win and he is the last one I would question on that.

"Unfortunately he went through a bad run and paid the price. I'm pretty sure that he should not have done. Change does not always sort out problems. History shows that it is not successful. It is statistically proven that a change of manager is not always successful.

"A club that creates its own instability is always in trouble - it is linked with technical stability, change of players, financially being in the red. All that together is linked with a change of manager."

Ex-Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is favourite to succeed Bruce at the Stadium of Light.