In pictures - Arsenal v Chelsea

With only one win in their previous seven league matches, Chelsea's title challenge had been on the slide going into Monday's match. Arsenal had been in better form, but they had not beaten either Chelsea or Manchester United in their last 11 attempts Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Arsenal took the initiative at the Emirates, scoring seconds before the interval when Alex Song prodded home inside the box. The goal owed much to the referee who allowed advantage after Cesc Fàbregas was brought to the ground Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP

Jack Wilshere was quick to congratulate Song on his timely strike Photograph: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport

Six minutes after half-time, Theo Walcott seized possession following a deflection off Michael Essien and supplied Fàbregas with a scoring chance Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

... the Spaniard made it 2-0 to Arsenal Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

In the Gunners' next attack, Walcott added a third ... Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

Fittingly, it was Fàbregas who supplied the decisive pass this time Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

A swift reply from the head of Branislav Ivanovic gave Chelsea a modicum of hope with 30 minutes remaining Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

But the ineffectiveness of Didier Drogba - who had scored 13 goals in his last 13 games against Arsenal - was symptomatic of Chelsea's woes Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

3-1 it ended - a resounding victory for Arsenal and another discrediting defeat for Chelsea Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images