Arsene Wenger insists he is pleased with Arsenal’s form after they played their way back into top-four contention with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

Goals from Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck helped the Gunners secure all three points at the Emirates Stadium and they are now just two points behind United in the standings and six off fourth-place Manchester City, while they also have a game in hand on the sides directly above them.

Wenger’s men have now won four of their last five games in all competitions, with last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to north London rivals Tottenham being the only blot on their copybook, and the Frenchman is pleased with his side’s overall form.

“It was important because we lost at Tottenham. That didn’t happen many times,” Wenger said. “You play Man United in another big game and we could not afford to lose and we responded.

“Recently we won at Middlesbrough, we won against Manchester City in the semi-final of the FA Cup, we won against Leicester, we won today. We only had just one blip. I think it was a bit physical but overall we look a bit more stable.”

Arsenal can continue their upturn in form and boost their top-four hopes further by a gaining a positive result in their next match against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday.

The north Londoners are priced at 2.05 to secure all three points on the south coast, while the Saints are available at 3.75 and the draw is on offer at 3.50.