The Gunners led 2-0 at the Emirates thanks to a Robin van Persie free-kick and a close-range effort from Philippe Senderos, but the Wearsiders battled back with goals from Ross Wallace and Kenwyne Jones.

The Londoners were not to be denied though and Van Persie fired an 80th-minute winner to give the league leaders their best start since the 2003-04 'Invincibles' campaign when they went the whole league season unbeaten.

Wenger is remaining cautious, but said: "There is a great resilience in the team, they do not panic.

"The potential is there to be very good, but the competition at that level in the Premier League is very difficult."

Manchester City's excellent start continued with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at Eastlands.

Elano scored a brilliant brace to keep City third, and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "The big difference between Elano now and when he arrived is his fitness levels.

"He is fitter and stronger and works in the gym as well, which is good."

City now lose Elano until October 19 as he prepares for international duty with Brazil, while fellow midfielder Michael Johnson may require groin surgery.

Liverpool stayed fourth after scraping a point at home to Tottenham in a 2-2 draw and despite the result making it six games unbeaten for Spurs, their boss Martin Jol admits he has no idea whether he has a long-term future at White Hart Lane.

"I do not know about the future, I do not pull the strings and I do not have any control over the scenario. If I did, everything would be quiet," the Dutchman said.

Robbie Keane's brace put Spurs in front after Andriy Voronin's early opener, but Fernando Torres' injury-time header helped the Reds avoid a second Anfield defeat in five days after their midweek misery against Marseille in the Champions League.

Despite his reported remit to entertain, Chelsea boss Avram Grant was happy enough to 'win ugly' against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Salomon Kalou scored the only goal - the first in the league under the Israeli coach, who said: "Sometimes, however, you need the points, especially when you play away. The target for today was to take three points and we did that which was important. "

Portsmouth are up to fifth after they won 2-0 at Fulham. Deflected strikes by Benjani Mwaruwari and Hermann Hreidarsson did the damage and midfielder Sean Davis is dreaming of European qualification.

"We missed out on Europe by goal difference last season and we would like to push on and get a European place, there would be a great atmosphere at Fratton Park," Davis told Sky Sports.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce admitted he had to overrule Michael Owen and use the England man as a substitute in the 3-2 win over Everton.

Asked if Owen, on his way back from a hernia operation, could have started the game, Allardyce replied: "In my opinion, no; in his opinion, yes.

"But at the end of the day, I try to do what is best for the football club and for Michael, as with any player."

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce fears he will not get a new contract from prospective new owner Carson Yeung. The Blues lost 2-1 at Blackburn yesterday as David Bentley and Benni McCarthy got the goals for Rovers, and now Bruce admits he is pessimistic about his St Andrews future.

"I found out off Mr (David) Sullivan on Friday night that the vibes coming back from the Chinese consortium were negative," Bruce said.

"I know where I stand, that's for sure."

Reading boss Steve Coppell was delighted that his patience with Irish striker Kevin Doyle had paid off as he headed the winner against bottom side Derby.

"I just got a feeling that he will score goals - you can sense it in games. You just have to be patient sometimes with strikers," Coppell said after Doyle nodded in Graeme Murty's 63rd-minute cross, his first goal of the season in his eighth start.

Derby stay bottom, having lost all five of their away games so far.

Manchester United are second after their 4-0 win over Wigan, while in Saturday's other game Aston Villa beat West Ham 1-0.