Arsenal needed to display grit and determination as well as their usual flair to win at Manchester City and become the only team in the Premiership still with a 100 per cent record.
The Gunners, who had made their best start to a season for 56 years, were forced to battle harder than on their last two visits to City which had yielded nine goals and two resounding victories.
They eventually came from behind to make it four successive league victories courtesy of goals from Sylvain Wiltord and Freddie Ljungberg.
And with Manchester United losing the only other perfect record, Arsenal established a three-point lead at the top of the table.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes last season's disappointment of losing the title has galvanised his side.
"I feel the players are focused and determined after the frustration of last season, and it has played its part," explained Wenger.
The Arsenal manager added that not even a fire alarm, which had forced them to evacuate their hotel at 4am, had even distracted them.
Defender Martin Keown disclosed that harsh words were said at half-time with Wenger questioning the desire of his players to win back the Premiership title.
Arsenal could not have made a worse start falling behind in the tenth minute when defender Lauren put through his own goal, though the television replays suggested Trevor Sinclair shoved the player as he was about to make a clearance.
Arsenal drew level three minutes into the second half when Robert Pires and Ashley Cole combined on the left to set up Wiltord who slotted home a shot from close range.
The wining goal came 18 minutes from the end when City's Sun Jihai and goalkeeper David Seaman ought to have dealt with the danger as Pires honed in on goal.
Instead the ball bounced back off Seaman's legs to present Ljungberg with the easiest of goals.
City manager Kevin Keegan felt both goals ought to have been prevented with the danger each time cut out long before the ball reached Seaman.
Keegan said: "We caught Arsenal on not one of their best days but, though not playing at their best, they know how to win games.
"We were not good enough to win and have to learn from it. It was an opportunity lost."