Centre-back Da Silva was outstanding as the Black Cats became the first club this season to stop Arsenal finding the net, while Darren Bent's ninth goal of the season gave the Wearsiders maximum points.

But the Paraguayan picked out Bruce as the unsung hero of the victory saying that the manager's game plan was the secret of Sunderland's success.

"Steve Bruce is a good manager, a clever manager. It is great to work for him," said Da Silva, whose English is improving.

"He knew exactly what he wanted us to do against Arsenal and thankfully the players were able to do what he asked.

"It was a very difficult game against Arsenal and the win was very important. It was a great result for us.

"Arsenal have some fantastic players – players like William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott – but we put them under pressure all through the game. It was an excellent performance."

Bruce's game plan was to flood midfield, tie down Arsenal's playmakers, especially Fabregas, and hit the Gunners on the break with the midfield getting forward to support Darren Bent whenever possible.

It was a tactic which worked equally as well at Spurs, though that game ended in unlucky defeat, and the manager will have difficult decisions to make in forthcoming games when Kenwyne Jones' returns from suspension.

The win over Arsenal means Sunderland have now picked up seven points against Premier League's so-called Big Four this season, with Liverpool having already lost on Wearside while the Black Cats earned a deserved draw at Manchester United.

League leaders Chelsea are the only one of the elite four to have beaten Sunderland this term.

For Da Silva, Saturday's victory also represented personal success.

The 29-year-old joined Sunderland in the summer on a Bosman free transfer from Mexican side Toluca and has been eased gradually into the side by Bruce.

He made his debut at centre-back in a Carling Cup win at Norwich back in August and has also been used in both full-back roles at various times in Sunderland's Premier League campaign.

But his first league outing in his preferred central-defensive position came at Spurs a couple of weeks ago and he followed that up with a very-impressive display against the Gunners on Saturday.

Bruce reflected: "Paulo was absolutely tremendous on Saturday. My experience with all the South Americans is that they take time to settle in and adapt and adjust.

"He is an outstanding defender and he put in a terrific all-round performance against Arsenal. The great thing about him is that he is never rash. He's always calm."

With Michael Turner suspended for the Arsenal game, John Mensah came in to partner Da Silva at the weekend but the Ghanaian went off near the end nursing what looked like a slight hamstring problem.

And with Turner available again for Saturday's trip to Wigan, it looks likely Bruce will revert to the Turner-Da Silva partnership he used at Spurs.