Before kick-off against Sunderland, Arsenal needed a win and Nicklas Bendtner needed a goal.
Both got what they wanted this afternoon.
The Dane slotted home the all-important opener in the 27th minute following fine work from Emmanuel Eboue. It was only his second Premier League goal of an injury-hit campaign and provided the platform for his team to get over that midweek disappointment in Portugal.
This was a simple, straightforward victory. Sunderland had a couple of clear-cut chances but they should have been buried by an Arsenal side in full flow. However the tension remained until Cesc Fabregas scored a penalty in injury time.
Still no matter. With Manchester United losing at Everton, Wenger’s team are now two points adrift of the second-placed side. They are still six shy of leaders Chelsea, who won comfortably at Wolves.
But Arsenal will not be shaken off in the title race just yet.
The one-way traffic began in the fourth minute when Fabregas carved a pass into the path of Walcott. He was in a foot race with George McCartney. No contest. The Arsenal winger sprinted himself a yard clear and fired inches past the far post.
Shortly afterwards Samir Nasri raced down the left and his cross so nearly found the climbing Bendtner. Then, from a short corner, the Frenchman’s angled drive hit McCartney and bounced narrowly wide.
Arsenal’s pace, both individually and collectively, was troubling Sunderland. In the 15th minute Walcott chased down and then muscled off McCartney but with little help available could only fire straight at Craig Gordon. Bendtner flashed the rebound inches wide of the far post.
The Dane was now fully recovered from his groin injury and starting to provide the muscular presence the team required. However, on a personal front, Bendtner needed the confidence of a goal.
That should have come in the 17th minute when a flowing move down the right ended with Fabregas tapping a simple pass to the unmarked striker. He took a touch and let fly. However McCartney slid in to deflect the ball high on the bar.
In the 27th minute, Eboue, who had enjoyed a sparkling start at right back, darted between McCartney and Darren Bent then divided the same pair with a low cross to the far post. The unmarked Bendtner tapped home with simplicity and then, quite rightly, he ran straight to Eboue to celebrate.
Just before the whistle, Walcott, who was enjoying a fine first half, nearly found Bendtner but the sprawling Gordon intervened.
At last, Arsenal could breathe easily.