MODEST Julio Arca played down suggestions his performance in Sunderland's derby-day victory over Middlesbrough last weekend was his finest yet in a red and white shirt.

The 24-year-old midfielder was inspirational in the Black Cats' first Premiership win of the season at the Riverside Stadium.

The Teessiders could find no answer to the web of intrigue Arca weaved down the left wing, culminating in a sublime chip over the Boro wall from 20 yards for a second Sunderland goal to secure a crucial victory.

If Sunderland supporters enjoyed his superb goal then they positively gushed over the trickery that left Massimo Maccarone red-faced and on his backside in the dying minutes.

Arca's impressive show brought back memories of another outstanding derby-day performance four-and-a-half-years earlier.

The Argentine tortured Newcastle United defender Warren Barton at the Stadium of Light in the Tyne-Wear derby in April 2001. It still remains a mystery how the Magpies returned to Tyneside with a point from the 1-1 draw.

"Everyone played really well," replied Arca when asked if it was his best performance in a Sunderland jersey.

"If you have to pick one player it is difficult to name one because everyone worked really well in their positions."

The Black Cats' £3.5m signing filled in at left back in the opening few games of the season following an injury to regular full back George McCartney. But since manager Mick McCarthy brought in defender Justin Hoyte on loan from Arsenal, Arca has reverted back to where he is at his most creative - on the left of midfield.

"At first I was playing left-back, but for the last few games I was back in my normal position in midfield. So you can say it was a good performance, especially after I scored the goal. It helped to take a lot of the pressure off the team."

Sunderland may have gone three years and 27 games since they last recorded a top-flight victory but you have to go back even further to record the last time Arca scored a Premiership goal. It came in the Black Cats' 2-0 home victory over Leeds in November 2001.

It may have been nearly four years and 31 games ago since he last netted but Arca says the lengthy wait was all the sweeter as it ended the Black Cats' barren Premiership run.

He said: "A win was a long time coming and it was a long time for me without scoring in the Premiership.

"To score that goal, especially in the derby game, it was something special. I am happy for the team because we needed that win.

"We didn't start the season very well but I think it was a great place to get our first Premier League win.

"The team worked really hard and we deserved the three points."

Unfortunately for Sunderland - given the historical precedence of failure surrounding newly-promoted clubs - relegation is a word that still hangs like a cloud over the club.

Arca's ambitions for the current campaign are simple.

He said: "I would like us to stay up. We are going to be working hard to achieve that. The last few games we played well but we were unlucky, and our mistakes undid us. We need to improve on that and if play like we did against Middlesbrough on Sunday we have a chance to climb higher in the league."

* Sol Campbell has declared himself ready to reclaim his place in the England side after returning from injury to bolster Arsenal's defence as the Gunners continued their perfect start in the Champions League.

''I am ready, it is as simple as that,'' Campbell declared. ''I am coming back."

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