Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal silenced their critics with a 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn to record their biggest Premier League win of the season.
Disgruntled Arsenal fans had reportedly been planning protests at the Emirates after Arsene Wenger’s side had slid to three consecutive league defeats and a disappointing draw at Bolton in midweek. But Wenger’s side responded to the disquiet with a ruthless demolition of struggling Rovers which saw them move up to fifth in the league table.
Van Persie took his tally for the season to 28 after striking in the second, 38th and 62nd minute, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (two), and Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry completing the scoring.
Chelsea aim for title influence
Meanwhile, Andre Villas-Boas may have conceded Chelsea are out of the title race but his side’s superb home record against Manchester United means they can still influence the final destiny of the championship.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s United last won in the league at Stamford Bridge 10 years ago and the rivalry between the clubs burns as fiercely as ever, despite the 12-point gap that currently separates them.
“It’s not an easy game going to Stamford Bridge,” said Ferguson. “We haven’t beaten them since 2002. In that period, Chelsea’s rise to prominence has been obvious. Therefore, you expect a hard game and it will be.”
But Villas-Boas warned a Chelsea victory could derail United’s title bid. “The leader in mid-December, Manchester City, was undisputed but they lost against us and continued to lose games and drop points,” said the Chelsea manager.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2012.
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RVP is in the best form of his life, Alex Chambo is getting better and better day by day and in the end it was icing on the cake, King HENRY. All important three points.. Cmon Gunners :))