Quickfire Gunners’ warning shot

MAYBE it was the end of an era in west London, maybe it was the start of a new one in north London; but make no mistake Arsenal’s inspirational and convincing victory over Chelsea will have consequences way beyond this morning’s Premier League table.

For Arsenal there is real elation that a miserable run of 10 defeats and one draw in their last 11 matches against title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United — a run that led captain Cesc Fabregas to suggest his team were scared to play in the big games — was ended in such emphatic fashion with goals from Alex Song, Fabregas and Theo Walcott.

After all, it’s a result that takes Arsene Wenger’s side to second in the table, only two points behind leaders United, and puts them firmly back in a title race that seemed to be slipping away when they put up such a poor fight during a recent defeat at Old Trafford.