Campbell stunned the Fratton Park crowd with a ferocious shot from more than 20 yards - and handed the Gunners a 1-0 victory.

It was the big centre-back's first goal in the league for 16 months.

Wenger said: "It was unexpected but I think he had a great game today and he got his reward with the goal. He defended very well at set pieces as well.

"We're back in the title race but we have to go from game to game. We have the hunger, the talent and the experience - and they are good ingredients to make it interesting.

"We also have the belief and we can come back. You have seen that anything can happen and it's down to us."

Across north London, Jermain Defoe is on cloud nine after scoring a stunning hat-trick for Tottenham in front of England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Sven was at White Hart Lane to check on Tottenham’s Three Lions stars, and he must have been hugely impressed by the performance of striker Defoe.

The former West Ham man produced three clever finishes to see off Southampton in a 5-1 victory.

And afterwards almost everyone seemed to be lining up to pay tribute to the youngster.

Spurs boss Martin Jol said: "Jermain looks like he can score in every game he plays. He scored three this time and could even have had more. We can go places because of him. This boy is simply lethal."

Southampton boss Harry Redknapp said: "Jermain is a top player and a bargain for the £7m they paid for him."

Match of the Day pundits Alan Hansen and Peter Schmeichel also enthused about Defoe’s talents – and those of England hopeful Michael Carrick, who produced an outstanding display in midfield.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard was his usual consistent self for Chelsea – scoring with a stunning 20-yard shot high into the top corner of the net.

His goal helped Chelsea beat Norwich 4-0, with John Terry and Wayne Bridge also starting and Scott Parker coming on as a substitute.

England hopeful Stewart Downing was impressive for Middlesbrough as he helped them to beat Aston Villa 3-0.

Three Lions star Alan Smith was outstanding for United in their 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace, scoring with a bullet header. Former England man Paul Scholes netted twice while Wayne Rooney had a penalty saved.

In Spain, Michael Owen scored in Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory at Racing Santander, heading home a Zinedine Zidane corner in the first half. David Beckham was on the bench.