Arsenal maintained their home form with a victory against Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Van Persie, Diaby and Arshavin ensured the Gunners would pick up three points after the visitors gave them a scare.

Theo Walcott started in the line up and quickly made an impact after combining with Eboue down the right side; the latter sending a dangerous cross towards Van Persie. The Dutchman collected a high ball and placed it in the path of Rosicky, but the Czech could only send a first time shot wide.

Walcott gave Ridgewell a torrid time down the right, and the Birmingham defender responded fiercely with a strong challenge that left the England winger in need of treatment. With 10 men Arsenal powered forward and Diaby sent a cross to Van Persie, who pulled back for Rosicky. The Czech again scuffed his shot when he should have rattled the net.

Walcott came on to ruin Ridgewell when he fantastically stepped away from his marker, and sent a floating cross towards goal, Hart tipped away to safety. But the fans did not have to wait long for the first goal, within 15 minutes; Song slipped a through ball to Van Persie. The Dutchman expertly collected the ball, switched onto his left foot before drilling the ball into the far corner of the net. Arsenal were not done there, if you blinked you might have missed the second goal.

Minutes from the opening goal, the Gunners attacked, Eboue finding Rosicky inside the area. This time the Czech international crossed low to the left of the area; Diaby was on hand to stab the ball home and send the home fans wild!

The visitors kept coming forward and won a free kick 25 yards from goal when Song fouled McFadden.  Former Arsenal youngster, Larsson curled the ball around the wall but Mannone got down, saving well.

Theo Walcott was substituted midway through the first half because of injury, Arshavin came on. The Russian came as Ferguson sent a deep cross into the area, Diaby headed up in the air and Mannone fumbled the ball only for Bowyer to slam the ball into the net. Game on!

The second half was a frantic affair; the away team could have scored when the ball was flashed across the penalty area. Arsenal responded when the creative Diaby crossed for Arshavin but the little Russian slammed the ball wide of goal.

Then a baffling decision by referee Lee Probert, Larsson was adjusted to have back passed the ball to his keeper. Indirect free kick taken by Fabregas, Arshavin stopped the ball for Van Persie to fizz a shot onto the crossbar.

The visitors could have equalised when Ridgewell sent a wicked cross into the area, Mannone dived and parried but Gallas cleared the ball to safety with the old style OUFF!

The Gunners are known for their counter attacking and this moves merited the goal. Mannone found Fabregas who surged forward at pace, the Spaniard found Arshavin, dribbled his way into the area and acutely cut inside to curl home the ball. Beautiful finish for the Arsenal with Diaby tipped as Man of the Match by Sky Sport.