Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal’s mental toughness after they were forced to work hard for a 4-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Gunners were in control for long spells but had only an Alexis Sanchez first-half goal to show for their efforts beyond the hour.

The Frenchman admits he feared the worst when Jermain Defoe levelled from the penalty spot after Petr Cech’s foul on Duncan Watmore.

Wenger summoned Olivier Giroud from the bench and he netted a quick brace before Sanchez applied the gloss to keep Arsenal level with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

The Gunners boss felt his side had passed a significant test by overcoming bottom club Sunderland in the circumstances.

“It was a mental test when we were at 1-1. We missed so many chances, so many opportunities, and I was worried we could lose – but we have shown great strength to bounce back,” he said.

“In the Premier League at 1-1 you can lose the game but it was about how we responded. Do we panic, give up, feel sorry for ourselves? We responded well and in the end it was a comfortable win.”

After a slip against Middlesbrough at home in their previous league game and with the prospect a North London derby against Tottenham next up, Wenger knows the importance of this win.

“It was an important result for us. We had six wins, then one draw at home, which was disappointing, and a second draw or defeat would have been like we had dropped our level,” he added.

Arsenal are 2.05 to defeat Spurs at the Emirates while they are now 5.50 to win the title this season.