Test of character boosts Wenger's hopes

Talk for Arsenal being back in the Premier League title race may be premature for now, but boss Arsene Wenger was delighted that his side showed the character to come from behind and win 2-1 at Chelsea on Sunday.

AFP

Skipper Francesc Fabregas celebrates with the goalscoring hero, Robin van Persie

The Gunners' troubles have not been against their big four rivals this season - they have also beaten Manchester United - but against the like of Fulham, Hull City, Stoke City and Manchester City who account for four of their five defeats this term.

A double from Robin van Persie turned the game on its head and means the north Londoners are seven points off the top of the table, although Liverpool could extend that against West Ham United on Monday evening.

"It was a test of character and we came here with perhaps not the needed level of confidence - but we have shown that we have character,'' said the Arsenal manager.

"It is part of the learning process to win when you are not completely at the top, to learn that in every type of game somewhere you have to find the resources to win it - to think you just turn up is not good enough.

"It is still hard [to win the title], but not impossible. Now it is down to our desire to win in the coming months. We are an intelligent team, but want to come back with humility, work hard and we have learned now we need focus in every game, no matter who we play.

"It was a massive win for us. To lose would have put us 13 points away and that would have been too much. We were unlucky to be 1-0 down at half-time, but we slowly moved on top and won the battle in the middle of the park.

"I am a very, very happy man. We have now beaten Manchester United and Chelsea in a convincing way.

"It gives us the belief we can come back, but what kind of impact it will have on Chelsea, I do not know.''