WENGER: We still have work to do
Arsene Wenger urged his young side to fire themselves back into the title race after Arsenal s rollercoaster season hit new heights at Stamford Bridge. Robin van Persie, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, scored twice in three second
Arsene Wenger urged his young side to fire themselves back into the title race after Arsenal's rollercoaster season hit new heights at Stamford Bridge.
Robin van Persie, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, scored twice in three second half minutes to hand the Gunners their first win at Chelsea since February 2004 - and consign the Blues to their second home league defeat in a month.
Wenger said the period up to Christmas will be vital if Arsenal - who remain 20/1 outsiders for the title - can be taken seriously as challengers again, but he was also quick to remind his side they still have a lot of work to do.
"It is true that we have more regrets this season, but the results show we have the level needed to be there [at the top] but it is up to us in the coming months," said the Arsenal manager.
"It was much better but we are still not close enough (at the top of the table).
"We can gain belief after beating Manchester United at home and now Chelsea away. That shows we have potential and character. We have now to be humble and come back tomorrow and do our job."
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Johan Djourou, who partnered Alex Song in central defence, was unfortunate to give Chelsea the advantage when he forced Jose Bosingwa's teasing cross into his own net on 31 minutes.
But van Persie levelled with a ferocious drive after clearly picking up the ball in an offside position - and just three minutes he later he turned sharply to shoot into the far corner for the winner.
While Chelsea tried to force a draw, Arsenal grew in confidence and could have made the scoreline more emphatic when Denilson missed a glorious chance on the break late on.
Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari moaned about van Persie's first goal being "maybe two metres" offside, but the Arsenal star has a long memory.
"A couple of years ago I had a goal against Chelsea disallowed for offside when it was onside - today maybe it was a little offside, but it counted," he shrugged.
