van Persie brace downs Chelsea

Arsenal's Premiership challenge could well be back on. Robin van Persie was the hero at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as he grabbed two stunning goals to see the Gunners down Chelsea by 2-1. Johan Djourou's own goal gave Chelsea the lead early on. The stunning result gives Chelsea their second home Premiership defeat of the year, and does put question marks over the progress made under Luiz Felipe Scolari. Arsenal, however, will hope that this breathes some much needed life back into their Premiership title hopes as they now sit seven points behind those at the top of the table.

The game had everything - and the Dutch international striker Robin van Persie single handedly turned the game on its head with two cracking goals.

It wasn't all easy for the Gunners though, as Chelsea dominated the first half, making possession difficult for Arsenal, and closing down the visitors well.

Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou linked up well in attack for the Blues, and Gallas - against his old club - was particularly busy in the first half seeing off the threat of Chelsea's attack.

Where Arsenal really won this game was their persistence to crowd out Chelsea's playmaking midfielders Frank Lampard and Deco. Both were forced to long-distance shots all afternoon as Fabregas and Nasri battled well in the midfield to keep the ball away from the Blues' grasp.

It was Chelsea who took the lead, as the unfortunate Swiss defender Johan Djourou turned the ball into his own net past a stranded Manuel Almunia. Djourou was under pressure from Salomon Kalou, and a wonderfully crossed ball from Jose Bosingwa ended up in the back of the net.

Chelsea kept the pressure on the Gunners, and some will feel Arsenal were very lucky to only go in 1-0 down at the break.

It really wasn't looking too great after half time for Arsenal either, who at times looked short of ideas as Chelsea bossed the game.

But Samir Nasri was cracking throughout, getting back and hurling himself in for the challenge for most of the game.

Chelsea didn't actually look like dropping points at all, until Robin van Persie fired home a stunning goal with his right foot into the top right corner. There were suspicions of offside, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.

The Gunners fans went ballistic as they looked like they were going to have a chance to win a memorable point.

But Robin van Persie wanted to go one better just a few minutes later.

Cesc Fabregas sent in a weighted ball into the path of van Persie from a free kick, the Dutchman struck the ball on the volley and into the far corner of Petr Cech's net.

Remarkable stuff - the Gunners were winning 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The last 20 minutes were very edgey for Arsenal, but to be fair, Chelsea really didn't look like grabbing a goal.

The introduction of young Slovak striker Stoch wasn't going to be enough to inspire the Blues, who succumb to their second defeat at home of the season.

Arsenal's challenge could well be back on.