SUNDERLAND'S relegation fears were banished this evening as Wigan Athletic's eight-year stay in the Premier League came crashing to an end.

Just three days after celebrating an historic triumph in the FA Cup final, Wigan's relegation to the second tier was confirmed as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Despair for Roberto Martinez's side meant delight on Wearside, as Sunderland cannot now finish in the bottom three no matter what happens in their final game of the season at Tottenham.

The Black Cats are four points clear of Wigan, and will travel to White Hart Lane knowing their only motivation is to try to improve on their 17th-placed position in the table.

Paolo Di Canio's side can still theoretically finish as high as 11th, although Tottenham still have a major motivation as they trail Arsenal by one point in the race for fourth position and the final Champions League place.

Tonight's result leaves the Gunners in pole position to compete in next season's Champions League, and while the first half at the Emirates was a keenly-contested affair, the hosts ran riot after the interval.

Lukas Podolski opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but Wigan's survival hopes briefly flickered back into life when Shaun Maloney curled home an excellent free-kick in first-half stoppage time.

Theo Walcott restored Arsenal's lead shortly after the hour mark, with Podolski's second goal of the evening effectively settling things moments later.

Aaron Ramsey added a fourth with 19 minutes left, and while Wigan will compete in Europe next season, and contest the Community Shield, they will play their league football in the Championship.