Arsenal were the prime beneficiaries of Chelsea’s stunning home reverse to Sunderland in the EPL last Sunday, as they had just moved into second place with victory at Everton.

A rare goal from right-back Bacary Sagna and a less rare one from captain Cesc Fabregas gave manager Arsene Wenger’s men three vital points against a resurgent Everton, as they held off a late comeback from the hosts.

The result, added to victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers the previous midweek, was the perfect response after the Gunners had suffered their own shock home defeat to North-East opposition, going down 1-0 to Newcastle.

That defeat re-ignited the long-running debate over the Arsenal goalkeeping slot, although there was a pointer to the future of the role when the club offered a new long-term contract to current third-choice, Wojciech Szczesny.

 

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, “confident” young striker Nicklas Bendtner has threatened to ask for a transfer away from North London if his first-team prospects do not improve.

Wenger’s response to the win at Everton emphasised a new range of qualities which critics have long-felt his teams have lacked at vital stages in title challenges over recent years.

The Frenchman told the BBC: “The most important qualities were discipline, commitment, togetherness, desire and 100% effort for 90 minutes. If you come to Goodison Park without them, you don’t get the points.”

The win moved Arsenal to within two points of their West London rivals after their 2-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers four days earlier

The Molineux success came courtesy of first and last-minute goals from Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh and a fine display of shot-stopping from under-fire keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Fabianski, the best of Arsenal’s two main goalkeepers this season, could soon find his place under threat from a compatriot.

Twenty-year-old Pole Szczesny is currently third choice at the Emirates. But after an attention-attracting loan spell at League One side Brentford last season, and an accomplished Carling Cup performance at Newcastle last month, Szczesny has signed a long-term deal.

The youngster said in the summer that he didn’t want to go out on loan again, claiming

“I have proved that I can do a job for Arsenal and now I want to see if I can really do it.”  And he said this week: “It is a great feeling to sign a new contract with Arsenal,”

Wenger added: “He has the quality to be an Arsenal goalkeeper and it is down to him to show that.”

Danish international striker Bendtner claimed to be “in the best shape of his life” after his return from a long-term groin injury and said: “When I am 100% fit I cannot accept sitting on the bench.

“I’m turning 23 soon, and if the situation doesn’t change, I’ll look for a transfer, that’s obvious.”

Arsenal entertain arch North London rivals Tottenham this Saturday lunchtime before travelling to Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday. A draw will ensure the Gunners progress to the competition’s knock-out stages.