Arsene Wenger has identified November as the acid test of Arsenal’s title credentials after admitting his players are displaying new-found resolve and maturity following last season’s failure to halt Leicester’s charge to the Premier League crown.

Arsenal currently sit second in the table, level on points with leaders Manchester City and third-placed Liverpool, after securing a comfortable 4-1 victory against bottom club Sunderland on Saturday.

The win against David Moyes’s team at the Stadium of Light extended Arsenal’s unbeaten run to 14 games, stretching back to the opening day defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates.

But with November bringing league games against Tottenham and Manchester United, as well as Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, Wenger believes Arsenal’s prospects will be much clearer by the time December arrives.

“We now have difficult games coming up, with a difficult November, so by the end of November we will know more about ourselves,” Wenger said.

“The desire is there and the mentality is great, though. There is great togetherness, we have quality as well, so they are good ingredients.

“But we have to show that we can do it week in and week out.”

Arsenal secured victory at Sunderland, with two goals apiece from Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud after Jermain Defoe’s penalty had hauled the home side level in the second-half.

And Wenger admits that his team’s surge to victory suggested growing maturity in the squad.

Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jordan Pickford – 5 out of 10 He was kept busy from the off, but he just didn’t have what was required – as reflected by the four Arsenal goals. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Billy Jones – 5 out of 10 Did his job at the back, but it wasn’t enough against the pacey of the Arsenal attackers. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings John O’Shea – 6 out of 10 He was leading by example and captaining his side appropriately, until he went off with a hamstring injury. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Lamine Kone – 5 out of 10 The centre-back worked hard, but a number of his tackles were mistimed and unnecessary. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Patrick van Aanholt – 6 out of 10 Lost possession a number of times, but on the whole, he done well and we saw glimpses of brilliance from him. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jack Rodwell – 5 out of 10 Had a quiet performance by a man of his standards and ability – he should have done more. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Steven Pienaar – 5 out of 10 Failed to provide anything in the attacking third and gave away too many fouls. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Didier Ndong – 6 out of 10 He was a strong element to the Sunderland side – he was tackling well and done well with possession. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Wahbi Khazri – 5 out of 10 After showing early sights of skill and trickery that was beating the Arsenal players, this fizzed out and he was kept out of the game by the Gunners. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Duncan Watmore – 7 out of 10 He was one of the best Sunderland players today, showing his pace down the wing and his eye for creativity. He also did well to win the penalty. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jermain Defoe – 6 out of 10 Despite his late goal, he had a very quiet performance by his standards and was uninvolved throughout. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Petr Cech – 6 out of 10 Had very little to do throughout, but when he was called on – he done the job. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin – 6 out of 10 Showed his attacking prowess throughout as he bombed down the flanks and was regularly called upon to whip a ball into the dangerzone. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi – 6 out of 10 Worked well at the back – he maintained possession well and defended effectively. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 7 out of 10 A typical Koscielny performance. He ran the line well, defended well and dominated at the back. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Keiran Gibbs – 7 out of 10 He attacked very well today and was regularly used down the left wing. His crosses were causing problems for Sunderland. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mohamed Elneny – 6 out of 10 Did his job in the middle of the park. He passed well and created chances. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin – 6 out of 10 Battled very well throughout and won a number of fouls in the middle of the park. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7 out of 10 Recalling the Ox today was the correct decision from Wenger – he worked hard, passed well and battled throughout. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil – 6 out of 10 His creativity was faultless as per usual – but should have done better in front of goal himself. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi – 5 out of 10 He worked well with Gibbs down the left hand side, but was poor in possession from time to time. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 9 out of 10 An all-round fantastic performance from the 27 year old. His attacking play was impeccable and he deserved his two goals. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“That’s what you want to show,” Wenger said. “But we want to show it on a longer distance. That is what is at stake.

“We’ll see, but the win shows our belief that we can bounce back from a disappointing result last week.

“We also showed we can bounce back in a game when it doesn’t go our way, so overall I believe that it can convince the team that we playing the right way.

“I think Sunderland were surprised by the strength of our push again.”

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In contrast to Arsenal, Sunderland were abject and remain marooned at the foot of the table on two points – the worst return after ten games since Manchester City achieved the same haul in 1995-96.

And Moyes, whose position is now appearing less secure with every result, admits the run of results is hitting his morale.

"It does make me feel lousy and I do,” he said. “I don't feel good about it but what a football manager has to do, Saturday is always the worst night if you lose, you've got to take it.

“Sunday gets a wee bit better but not much and hopefully by the time Monday morning comes, you are ready to go again. You've got it out of the system and you are up and running again. And I'll do that again on Monday.

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"But when you've had 450-500 games in the Premier League you keep doing what you've always done. You keep doing what you think is right.

“You try not to get too caught up in the whole thing. I don't think we can do. If we were going in blasting every player, I don't think things will necessarily get any better.

“We are trying to train correctly, trying to put into practice what we think will be good for them. So we try to follow all the right things you would do when you're in a difficult situation.