Arsene Wenger saluted the leadership of William Gallas after Arsenal reclaimed their position at the summit of the Premier League with a 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Captain Gallas headed the game's only goal on the stroke of half-time, exploiting a rare clanger by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, in a match which saw England skipper John Terry limp off in the first half with an ankle injury.

Terry will have scans on Monday and, with Ricardo Carvalho still unfit, a lengthy lay-off could spell problems for Avram Grant's side.

Wenger, however, was delighted to see his side bounce back from defeat at Middlesbrough and show steel to go with their undoubted style in a match which contained nine bookings.

He was just as pleased to see former Chelsea defender Gallas, who scored the equalising goal in the dying seconds against Manchester United earlier this season, provide the finishing touch after Cech had flapped and missed at a Cesc Fabregas corner.

Wenger said: "He pops up when you need it. He is a leader and that is the best definition of a leader. When you need it he shows the example. He did that against Manchester United in the last seconds. It shows he is a winner.

"I'm not sure I would have jumped behind Cech because I think I would have thought he would have taken the ball.

"Arsenal is a special club. William this season has taken that on board and he is completely the leader and represents how we want to behave.

"He is transformed completely, does a lot of things with the team but also off the pitch which are great for the club."

The victory keeps Arsenal one point ahead of United, six ahead of Chelsea and 10 in front of Liverpool who languish in fifth place.

Wenger, however, wants all of England's big four to stay in contention.

He said: "Liverpool have had the biggest disappointment but they are not out of it. Neither are Chelsea because they showed today they are a good team.

"We are confident. The belief is there but I prefer that it remains a four horse race because it is more interesting. It makes a day like today great for the Premier League. As long as there are four teams in it the interest in the Premier League is even bigger.

"We have shown great character in the fight today, in the one-to-one duels. We were dominant on that front and that is not the case usually."