The Gunners eventually emerged from a see-saw battle at Stamford Bridge with a 5-3 victory, thanks in no small part to the Holland striker`s 10th, 11th and 12th goals of the season.

Van Persie has played a key part in turning Arsenal`s form around following their 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United, and Wenger is aware of how good his captain is.

"He is on fire," manager Wenger said.

"He takes advantage from his class, plus the fact we attack a lot and that we create chances.

"Overall the intelligence of his movement around the box and the accuracy of his finishing is exceptional."

The drama in West London took the spotlight away from Manchester, where City retained their five-point lead at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Wolves.

Their advantage had been slashed to two thanks to Manchester United`s lunchtime 1-0 win at Everton - Javier Hernandez scoring - but goals from Edin Dzeko, Aleksandar Kolarov and Adam Johnson helped City win, despite the sending off of Vincent Kompany.

"I don't know how many chances we had in the first half , but their goalkeeper saved everything. But in the second half I think we played very well and it was important to beat Wolves," said manager Roberto Mancini.

"After the Man United win (6-1 last Sunday), I don't want us to think that every game will be easy."

A stoppage-time penalty from Grant Holt helped Norwich come from 3-1 down to earn a point at home to Blackburn.

With seconds left, handball was called against Steven Nzonzi and captain Holt stepped up to level - the second week in a row he has earned his side a point.

"It takes huge players to go and step up to take a penalty in those situations," manager Paul Lambert said of his striker.

"Grant's goal at Liverpool was brilliant and that one, for different reasons, was probably bigger."

Luis Suarez was once again the name on everyone`s lips as Liverpool won 2-0 at West Brom.

Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll got the goals for Kenny Dalglish`s men, but Suarez took the plaudits.

"I am running out of superlatives to describe him," Dalglish said of the Uruguayan.

"Luis is a fantastic footballer. For us, there were a lot of excellent performances out there."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle was refusing to wave the white flag after his side lost again, this time 3-1 at Swansea.

"Our job is to get on the training ground, work hard and get up and running, and get that win that kick-starts you," said the Scot, whose side are firmly in the relegation zone.

"If you get two back-to-back you are flying up the league and that's what you need to do."

Darren Bent returned to Sunderland for the first time since his move to Aston Villa, but failed to silence the boo boys in a 2-2 draw.

The England striker missed a golden second-half chance at the Stadium of Light, and manager Alex McLeish said: "Darren will be agonising over it as all good players do.

"He will be wondering if he should have hit it harder or higher and he's the one who will decide."

Wigan sit bottom of the table following a 2-0 home defeat to Fulham.

Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele scored for Fulham whose manager Martin Jol, after watching his side spurn a number of chances over recent weeks, had sympathy for opposite number Roberto Martinez.

"It was the same situation we had last week. They could have scored, then on the break we scored our goal. In the 89th minute we could have scored a winner twice, then Everton scored," he said.

"That was an awful feeling and Wigan probably have the same feeling."