Arsene Wenger believes that it was important that Arsenal defeated Sunderland on Saturday after the disappointment of last weekend.

The Gunners, as you know, struggled against Boro, and had to leave with just one point and a number of frustrations.

When Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot for the Black Cats after denying a stonewall penalty for a clear pullback on Alexis, it felt very much like it was going to be another ‘one of those days’.

But the Arsenal players used their anger at the injustice dished out by yet another official and, instead of huffing about it, stepped up their game and scored three goals in 10 minutes.

“I am happy with the performance, with the result,” Wenger said after the game.

“At some stage we were questioned with our spirit as well, because we missed many chances. At 1-1 you think you have the chance to lose a game that should be over, but we kept going again and had another go.

“In the end we won in a comfortable way.

“Overall I feel it was important for us to win today, because we had won six [in a row] and then drew at home last weekend, which was disappointing. So to have another game without a win would maybe have created some uncertainty so it was important to win the game.

“We wanted not to let them gain confidence and to dictate the game from the start on. We know that they lack a bit of confidence, so it was important for us to dominate the game, and that’s what we did.”

Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets in front of a new Arsenal banner.

There will be plenty of scope to rest players for this game ahead of the north London derby next weekend, but will Arsene Wenger risk it?