Why Arsene Wenger's Arsenal Were the Big Winners This Premier League Weekend

After last week’s dispiriting draw at home to Hull, Arsenal fans could be forgiven for entering this latest round of fixtures with a degree of trepidation. However, it turned out to be a pretty good weekend for Arsenal. Against the odds, everything seemed to go their way.

In their own game against Sunderland, the Gunners were the beneficiaries of two terrible errors to gift them a comfortable win. Alexis Sanchez capitalised on mistakes from Wes Brown and Vito Mannone to ensure Arsenal returned to London with three precious points and that rarest of feats: A clean sheet. 

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It wasn’t just the game at the Stadium of Light that went in Arsenal’s favour. This weekend, Arsene Wenger watched on as a succession of rivals dropped points. On Saturday, Manchester City lost to a West Ham side inspired by former Gunner Alex Song. Liverpool toiled to a 0-0 draw with Hull, with £16 million man Mario Balotelli failing to find the net once again. 

Sunday got even better. Neighbours Tottenham Hotspur surrendered a lead to lose to struggling Newcastle, before Manchester United grabbed a late equaliser against Chelsea to prevent either side leaving Old Trafford with three points. The draw was the optimal result for Arsenal, and the sight of Jose Mourinho shaking his head in disappointment and disgust will have delighted the watching Gunners faithful.

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This set of results is unlikely to propel Arsenal into immediate title contention, but it certainly strengthens their chances of securing a place in the top four. Aside from Chelsea, every other side in the division has its flaws. If the Gunners can find a measure of consistency, Champions League qualification is well within their grasp.

Another boost came Arsenal’s way with the sight of Theo Walcott back on the substitutes bench. Although he did not take to the field, his mere presence had supporters salivating at the prospect of seeing him link up with the equally speedy Alexis and Danny Welbeck.

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Afterwards, Wenger admitted to Simon Bird of the Mirror that he was equally excited about the prospect:

"

Yes, my imagination works like yours, but I have to prove it works on the pitch and that is what I will try to do when everybody is back.

Let’s see. The imagination does not always become reality in our job, so we are a bit cautious.

I am very happy he is with us, but he has had 10 months out. I have to find a way of bringing him back slowly over the next three or four weeks.

Theo’s runs off the ball are always fantastic and he gives you hope that we will score goals. And the pace we have in the side when he comes back will be very interesting - Walcott is quick, Chamberlain is quick, so we can be very good in transition.

"

Two wins in a week is cause for positivity at Arsenal. With Walcott set to add his threat to their attack, things are looking up. Arsenal fans will hope they can look back on this weekend as a turning point in their season.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and has been nominated as the best Established Football Blogger at the Football Blog Awards. Click here to vote for him.