Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers' Givet tackles Arsenal's Van Persie during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium Reuters

Arsenal thrashed Blackburn 7-1 with in a humiliating encounter at the Emirates stadium, recording their first premier league win this year.

After an unimpressive performance in the premier league games last month, the Gunners got off to an impressive start thanks to an early strike (80 seconds) from Dutch striker Robin Van Persie.

Morten Gamst Pedersen soon equalised with an impressive free kick to which the Gunners replied with an identical second goal from their skipper Van Persie.

18-year-old Alex Oxlake-Chamberlain scored Arsenal's third from a Van Persie pass. Just before two minutes to half-time, Gael Givet was sent off after he brought down Van Persie with a two-footed tackle.

Six minutes after half-time the Gunners registered their fourth strike in the form of Mikel Arteta, who scored from a touch by Laurent Koscielny. After another three minutes Chamberlain netted his second goal, sneaking a low shot boldly past Robinson.

Skipper Van Persie reached his hat-trick through another through another, confident, close range shot giving the home team a five goal lead. The final icing on the cake was put when French striker, Thierry Henry netted his first goal for Arsenal (after his return last month) after coming in as a substitute for Chamberlain at the 68<sup>th minute.

Thanks to this mammoth victory, Arsenal have stepped up two places at number five in the Premier league table.