Andrey Arshavin's goal completes the Arsenal recovery against Barcelona

The Arsenal substitute Andrey Arshavin, left, scores their winner
against Barcelona in the Champions League

Arsenal would not tolerate a remake of the past. They had taken just a draw with Barcelona at home last year before being knocked out of the Champions League. Here, they rallied from 1-0 down to win. Robin van Persie tied the score with a drive that beat the goalkeeper Víctor Valdés at his near post 11 minutes from time. Four minutes later, Cesc Fábregas set Samir Nasri moving on the right and the cut-back was drilled home perfectly by the substitute Andrey Arshavin.

There was a conviction to Arsenal that offered yet another illustration of the maturity being attained. The return is perilous, but Barcelona themselves will suspect that this team will not be brushed aside at Camp Nou as they were a season ago.

Meeting Barcelona is a predicament for virtually all teams, but Arsenal's case is unusual. Rather than being the normal contrast of styles, this encounter saw Pep Guardiola's side taking on opponents who would like nothing better than to emulate their methods. The hosts aimed for that same fluent movement, but a flawed version of Barcelona could not be expected to outdo them.

The initial impression was that Arsenal could withstand the comparison. Even when the visitors took the lead through David Villa in the 26th minute it came in a spell where they might just as easily have fallen behind.

Chelsea's problems deepen with 1-0 loss at Wolves

LONDON (AP): Chelsea's dismal form worsened Wednesday when it slipped to a 1-0 defeat at last-place Wolverhampton Wanderers for one of its most embarrassing defeats in the Premier League.

While Manchester City fell two points behind Premier League leader Manchester United with a 0-0 draw at third-place Arsenal, a fifth-minute own-goal by Jose Bosingwa left defending champion Chelsea outside the Champions League qualifying places after two wins in its past nine matches.

Early season leader Chelsea has now taken just 10 points from the last 11 games.

Chelsea's defeat meant that Tottenham kept fourth place despite a 2-1 loss at Everton, which completed a good night for United, which beat Stoke 2-1 on Tuesday to maintain the league's only unbeaten record. United has 44 points from 20 games as it pursues a record 19th English championship.

Liverpool's poor form also continued with a 3-1 loss at Blackburn, which only led to more chants from fans for manager Roy Hodgson to be fired.

Van Persie keeps Arsenal on top

Robin van Persie's first half header gave Arsenal all three points in a hard-fought encounter with West Ham on Saturday, ensuring the Gunners stay top of the Premier League table for at least another week.

The Dutchman swooped with a header on 13 minutes to preserve Arsene Wenger's unbeaten run this season, which now stretches to eight games.

It took Arsenal barely 60 seconds to show just why they are sitting pretty on top of the table. Almost inevitably, it was Cesc Fabregas - the smoothly running cog in Arsenal's engine room once again - who started off a flowing rapid-fire passing move from which Emmanuel Adebayor nearly opening the scoring, his shot going narrowly wide of Robert Green's upright.

But the Gunners did not have to wait for much longer before a breakthrough was made, Van Persie getting in front of Hammers skipper Lucas Neill to head home an Aleksandr Hleb cross.

In fairness, the goal was harsh on West Ham, who had until that point largely matched Arsenal and even created several chances of their own in an open start to the game.

Dean Ashton looked busy up front for the hosts, and it was his superbly executed flick to former Arsenal man Freddie Ljungberg that nearly carved open the Gunners's back line. But Manuel Almunia - still deputising for the injured Jens Lehmann - was off his line quickly to save at the Swede's feet on five minutes.

Minutes later, Ashton threatened once again, this time letting fly from distance; his shot flew over the bar, but the signs were encouraging for the east Londoners.

Van Persie's third goal of the season served to dent the Hammers' confidence somewhat, but nonetheless, they did enough during the opening 45 minutes to go in slightly aggrieved at being a goal down, even if the opening period ended with Arsenal on the front foot.

Van Persie saw a free kick turned round the corner by Green on 41 minutes before Mathieu Flamini brought the keeper into action once again with a stinging drive from outside the box before the whistle brough an end to proceedings.