'I totally understand the frustration of the fans, and we apologise for our lack of trophies' - Wojciech Szczesny bemoans Arsenal's failure

The Polish youngster feels a club the size of the Gunners should be "winning trophies every year", but hopes that struggles this season will spur side on to Premier League success

Arsenal's rookie goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has apologised, on behalf of the rest of the squad, to the club's supporters after the side failed to pick up a trophy this season.

Sunday's dismal 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa - a third loss in the past four matches - leaves Arsenal vulnerable to being beaten to third place in the Premier League by Manchester City, which would mean having to face a Champions League qualifier at the beginning of next season.

Up until February, the Gunners were in contention for an unprecedented quadruple, however, a dramatic defeat to Birmingham in the League Cup final was followed by defeat in the Champions League to Barcelona and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.

Add to that a complete collapse to their Premier League title bid, with just three wins since the end of March, and it has all added up to huge disappointment for the club's supporters.

"I totally understand the frustration of the fans, and we apologise for our lack of trophies this season," Szczesny said.

"This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and we should be winning trophies every year."

The 21-year-old Polish keeper is looking to take the positives from the season and believes that this campaign's collapse should stand the side in good stead for an assault on the title next year.

"We will have much more desire next season as we know how close we were this season to win the Carling Cup and Premier League," added Szczesny.

"That gives us more motivation and desire to go for it next year, and obviously we will be one year more experienced compared to what we were this year.

"Obviously I am happy to be playing for Arsenal and I am trying to do my best, but if we look at this season we never won a trophy, so it is disappointing for me.

"I think we have the quality to be winning the Premier League.

"It is just a matter of can we make that next step?" 

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel to consider his future at end of season

American shot-stopper has been linked with a return to Liverpool and a switch to West Brom on a Bosman, with his contract set to expire this summer at Villa Park

Brad Friedel and his agent will hold talks with Aston Villa next week, after the goalkeeper, who is out of contract at the club this summer, was linked with a return to former club Liverpool.

Friedel has been consistent in his three years at Villa Park, and the club are believed to be keen on keeping the former United States international shot-stopper.

However, there is reported interest from not only Anfield - with Liverpool seeing Friedel as ideal backup for Pepe Reina - but also from Roy Hodgson and West Bromwich Albion, who view the experienced keeper as a safer pair of hands than Scott Carson.

The player's agent, Tony McGill, has refused to confirm the interest of any of the Premier League clubs, but has insisted Friedel will be taking a look at his options next week.

"I will be holding talks with Brad next week, once the season has finished and we will then go over his options," McGill told skysports.com.

"At the moment he is focused on Villa's final game, but also the birth of his next child which is imminent.

"I have read the newspaper speculation, but we are not going to talk about any clubs until the season has finished."

Sunderland in talks to seal move for Blackpool's David Vaughan - report

The Welsh international's contract expires in the summer and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is looking to bring him in as a free transfer, as Bolo Zenden prepares for exit

Sunderland are close to sealing a move for Blackpool central midfielder David Vaughan, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Wales international is a free agent in the summer and has been attracting a number of interested parties due to the excellent partnership he has formed with Seasiders skipper Charlie Adam.

Vaughan is said to be weighing up his options and will look to move away from the club if they are relegated after the final game of the season next Sunday.

The holding midfielder is not guaranteed to leave the club should they stay up, however.

Meanwhile, Sunderland midfielder Bolo Zenden is set to leave the club in the summer after learning that he wouldn’t be first choice at the club next season.

The former Dutch international is out of contract at the end of the season and the veteran has been told by Steve Bruce that he would only be a squad player next season.

GALLERY

Wigan Athletic 3-2 West Ham United

Demba Ba scores the second goal for West Ham United

West Ham United are relegated from the Barclays Premier League after a last-gasp defeat at Wigan Athletic.

Wigan ensured their own survival battle goes to the last day of the season thanks to Charles N'Zogbia's stoppage time winner.
The Hammers needed to win at the DW Stadium to stand any chance of beating the drop and were 2-0 up at half-time courtesy of Demba Ba's headers on 12 and 26 minutes.

The Latics stormed back after the break. Charles N'Zogbia scored either side of a Conor Sammon strike, leaving Roberto Martinez's side in the bottom three on goal difference alone and sending the visitors down.

Liverpool 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool's Jay Spearing watches as Tottenham Hotspur's Sandro clears the ball

Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged their rivals Liverpool with victory at Anfield.

Spurs spoiled the Anfield party to celebrate Kenny Dalglish's confirmation as permanent manager as they seized the advantage in the race for a Europa League spot.
Rafael van der Vaart's volley had given Harry Redknapp's side an early lead only for Liverpool to wrest back control of the match until 11 minutes after the interval when Howard Webb awarded Spurs a penalty and Luka Modric converted.

Birmingham City 0-2 Fulham

Brede Hangeland heads Fulham in front at Brimingham City

Two goals from Brede Hangeland left Birmingham City still sweating on survival.

Hangeland put Fulham in front after just five minutes. The Birmingham defence was undone by Jonathan Greening's corner and the unmarked Hangeland made no mistake from close range.
Hangeland made it 2-0 after 49 minutes. Bobby Zamora's header was cleared off the line from Greening's corner but Hangeland pounced to tuck away the rebound.