With his team two down, on the back of heavy defeats to AC Milan and Sunderland, Arsene Wenger must have wondered whether his once great side was facing its third straight high-profile failure.

And with former golden boy Theo Walcott also the subject of abuse from home fans, the omens did not look good.

The Arsenal boss needed his men to step up.

They did not disappoint – by the end of the first half Arsenal had wiped out that lead.

Once again, it was Robin Van Persie, who set up the first and secured the second, all within three minutes.

The second half was all Arsenal with Walcott’s surges – often criticised for not going anywhere – producing two impressive goals.

Arsenal’s fans – some of whom had left the stadium after their North London rivals exposed the Gunner’s defensive frailties with a goal in the fourth minute and a penalty by Emanuel Adebayor in the twentieth  – were toasting perhaps their team’s greatest triumph since that defeat of Barcelona on February 16, 2011.

They were also toasting the former fall guy now restored golden boy Theo Walcott.

Arsenal’s problems at the front and back are still there, but surely the true test of this team will be whether they can put five past AC Milan in the Champions League on March 6. Then, we will know whether Arsenal have moved on or have just flattered to deceive.

http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3475709/first-team/ac-milan-v-arsenal.

http://www.arsenal.com/fixtures/fixtures-reports