Wenger - Win was vital for morale

Arsene Wenger believes Saturday's victory at Sunderland was "very important" for his team's confidence levels.

Arsenal earned their second away win in the space of three days thanks to a goal in each half from Alexis Sanchez.

The manager was pleased both with the three points and the clean sheet - Arsenal's first in seven games.

"If you're not capable of keeping clean sheets, you don't move forward because if you always have to score three goals to win a game, at some stage it doesn't work, so I'm happy," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"[It was] very pleasing. [The team was] very focused, very united, very concentrated not to make mistakes.

"In the end we got a good win with a clean sheet on top. I'm very happy about that.

"It's our second away game in three days. Before the game, I would have signed for a 1-0 - it became a 2-0 very late in the game.

"I'm very happy. We dropped two points against Hull, so we could compensate and win today.

"It was very important for our morale and to come up the table again as well."

Alexis has already scored eight goals in an Arsenal shirt and earned praise from Wenger after a tireless display.

"He kept going, Alexis," the boss said. "He goes at you - he's not frightened to go forward.

"Sometimes you think his passing is not quick enough but he's very efficient and he really plays to win. He's a winner."