Double trouble for Gunners’ rivals

Arsenal 2 Everton 1

Arsenal responded to back-to-back defeats by Blackburn and Valencia with a determined display, just 24 hours after Manchester United had replaced them at the Premiership summit.

Vieira scored his side's controversial winner on 64 minutes, with Everton boss David Moyes later claiming Fredrik Ljungberg was in an offside position at the time.

Despite a superb display by Wayne Rooney, including his side's equaliser after Pascal Cygan had put Arsenal ahead, the Gunners held on to secure a much-needed win just 48 hours before facing Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter-final replay.

Vieira declared: "We were bitterly disappointed to get knocked out of the Champions League in midweek. "Some people have been writing us off, but we just have to believe in ourselves. I believe we are good enough to win the Premier League and The FA Cup.

"I'm still feeling some pain and I'm not 100% with my knee, but we're in a situation where everybody has to give their best if we are going to win the league."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger brushed aside questions about a late tackle by Dennis Bergkamp on Alan Stubbs, for which the Dutchman was not punished by the match officials.

Bergkamp has previously been fined twice on the basis of video evidence this season, but Wenger insisted: "It didn't look like anything special to me."

Told that he had said that before, only for Bergkamp to be charged, Wenger mischievously insisted with a smile: "He got off then though, didn't he?"

The Arsenal boss then lavished praise on his side for having passed a "test of mental strength, character and commitment".

He added: "The team have shown how strong they are and how determined they were to recover from the disappointment of going out of the Champions League.

"I can only praise my players as they did everything that I asked of them today. We found the resources to win it even though we had heavy legs. That's why it's very encouraging for the future.

"Patrick refused to drop points and showed that with his attitude. He led the team very well and many players showed how much they wanted to win the game, no matter how."

Everton boss Moyes was pleased with the way in which his side responded after half-time, feeling that they had deserved a point.

He added: "I thought we gifted Arsenal the second goal. Kevin Campbell was complaining about a foul by Dennis Bergkamp, who was holding David Unsworth.

"We also thought that Ljungberg was offside as he was lying in front of Richard Wright, who had to dive over him to try and block Vieira's shot, which must mean that he was interfering with play.

"I told the players at half-time that if they want to be in the big league, then they had to perform better and they certainly did that in the second-half."

This was potentially a pivotal moment in Arsenal's campaign, and they certainly got off to a perfect start, courtesy of one of the most unlikely sources of all.

Centre-back Cygan, who has featured in all eight of Arsenal's defeats this season outside the Worthington Cup, has been highlighted as the weakest link in their defence over recent months.

However, amid a committed all-round first-half display, the Frenchman made a positive impression by heading home Thierry Henry's corner with just eight minutes gone.

Arsenal failed to heed Wayne Rooney warnings as the young striker tormented Cygan before picking his spot just inside the far post from 25 yards out on 56 minutes to put Everton level.

He even came close to scoring again with a half-volley, but Arsene Wenger's side came out fighting. After Bergkamp and Fredrik Ljungberg had created an opening by sheer spirit as much as physical presence, Vieira pounced to power the ball home from close range on 64 minutes.

There is little time for any respite though. Next stop Stamford Bridge and an FA Cup quarter-final replay with just 48 hours' recovery time.

ARSENAL: Taylor, Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, van Bronckhorst, Ljungberg, Silva, Vieira, Pires (Parlour 68), Bergkamp (Toure 86), Henry.

EVERTON: Wright, Yobo, Stubbs, Weir, Unsworth, Watson (Ferguson 79), Pembridge, Li Tie (Gemmill 73), Gravesen, Rooney, Campbell.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).