Arsene Wenger has praised the mental strength of his Arsenal side after they bounced back from their Boxing Day horror show to defeat Bournemouth at the Emirates tonight.

Goals from Gabriel Paulista and Mesut Ozil gifted the Gunners all three points just 46 hours after they were torn apart by a 4-0 scoreline at Southampton.

"The games come thick and fast, so it was important that we responded today with first of all the three points and after that - although it was a hesitant start - a convincing performance," Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"You could see that some legs were a bit heavy but overall we did what we wanted to do. I said many times that this team has a great mental response and we have shown that many times this season."

The result also moved the London side one point clear at the top of the table ahead of tomorrow's meeting between title rivals Leicester City and Manchester City, but Wenger was keen to play down the significance of being at the summit.

"Personally to me of course you want to be in front, but that's not the most important for me at the moment, [to be] either one point in front or one point behind. It's to be up there and fight for it.

"After a big disappointment, to have the mental strength to respond straight away and not feel sorry for yourself, that's what we did and that's very positive for the future of the team."

Arsenal begin the second half of their campaign on Saturday when they welcome struggling Newcastle United to the Emirates.