Arsene Wenger challenged his Arsenal side to find consistency again after romping to a first Premier League win of 2012 against Blackburn.

Robin van Persie plundered a hat-trick - his opening goal coming after just 79 seconds - as the Gunners shrugged off their recent frustrations to crush Rovers 7-1 and close back to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea ahead of the Blues' clash with Manchester United.

Wenger, however, insisted he never reads much into big results, demanding instead his team just produce another winning display when they head to in-form Sunderland next weekend.

"We need consistency," the Arsenal manager said.

"Strangely I don't feel we played very badly at Fulham, nor at Swansea, nor against Manchester United, but every time we just couldn't get the result and in the end it affects your belief.

"It was important to the confidence of the side that we won a game and get three points.

"This will help us slowly to believe again that we could win - to win 1-0 at Sunderland would be fantastic and that is what we have to prepare for, to produce a good performance."