Arsenal 3-1 Sunderland: Arsene Wenger discusses edgy performance in much needed win over Sunderland

Arsene Wenger has admitted Arsenal looked "edgy and nervy" during the victory over Sunderland before a second half reaction saw them secure a much-needed three points. The French boss meanwhile confirmed there are no further additions to the club's injury list after Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla picks up problems ahead of the crucial Champions League trip to Olympiakos on Wednesday night (9 December).

The Gunners welcomed the Black Cats after three games without a win following two draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich City and a defeat at West Bromwich Albion. The start to the game against the Black Cats was not promising after Olivier Giroud scored an own goal just before half-time to cancel out Joel Campbell's opener. But the France international restored the lead in the 63th minute of the game before Aaron Ramsey secured the points in injury time.

"It was a very important game for us tonight because we came out of three disappointing results," Wenger told a post-match press conference. "We had lost only one game but I think it was a very, very important game for us today, psychology, for the fact we had not won, for the fact we had lost important players in our side and we had to show that we can win.

"We were edgy and nervy in the first half against a very organised team who were dangerous on the counter-attack but in the second half I think we have shown mental strength and desire in our game and more fluency as well. All was not perfect of course but the team have shown mental strength after a goal before half-time. We still managed to win the game in the second half.

"I thought it was important to keep our nerve at first. They were dangerous with Fletcher and Watmore, and their full backs could have exposed us, so it was important not to concede the second goal and I believe it was also important to get behind their midfield, behind Ola Toivonen and M'Vila and to find space in between their centre backs."

Wenger deployed Joel Campbell and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain on the flanks with Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey forming the midfielder due to the recent injuries of both Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla. Meanwhile, Theo Walcott returned to action in the second half following a long-spell on the sidelines to get some minutes before the trip to Greece. Asked whether Arsenal have any new injuries during the game against Sunderland, Wenger confirmed:
"No"