Arsenal: 5 Ways Chelsea Win Has Saved Arsene Wenger's Job

Five goals away from home. Three wins on the bounce. Eight wins in nine games. Three points off third place.

Crisis? What crisis?

Arsenal, a team that, just a few weeks ago, was leaving its status as a top four fixture. Arsene Wenger, a manager that, just a few weeks ago, was leaving the Emirates Stadium after a successful 15-year reign.

But now, Arsenal are back among the big boys following a successful turnaround and are even outside bets for the title. Chelsea, on the other hand, have started feeling the heat from Tottenham and Arsenal and have begun a mini slump.

Just like Manchester United were finally beaten to their crown merely nine games into the season following a hiding from Manchester City, just like Arsenal were spiraling to oblivion after an eight-goal mauling from United, Arsenal's 5-3 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge have sent the Blues to a much-deserved introspection.

Sensationalism and newspaper headlines aside, here are five reasons that the result might just have saved Arsene Wenger's job.

Tirelessness and Commitment

While the Gunners adopted a "we'll score more than you" approach, the most impressive quality on display was not the attacking exuberance (even though we'll touch on that later), but the tirelessness and commitment at the back.

To be sure, Arsenal's defence remains porous and error-prone.

Per Mertesacker, in all of his experienced 6'4" frame, let an unmarked Frank Lampard head in from close range. Johan Djourou had a torrid time at right back. Andre Santos, for all his attacking prowess, is still out of depth defensively as a Premier League full-back. Arsenal let in three goals.

But they certainly didn't lack in bravery and wholeheartedness.

Laurent Koscielny led the defensive bravery from the back as he turned in a quiet but battling performance, rather the polar opposite of his polar opposite, John Terry.

To a side previously lacking in confidence, sometimes hard work and grit is the perfect platform from which to launch a comeback.

In this case, the comeback includes a rapid rise up the table.

Counterattacking Brilliance

The best Arsenal sides of old were famous for their counterattacks. And on a day when both sides showcased their appetite for attack, Arsenal's counterattacks featured goals aplenty.

They might be pumping the ball directly to the opposition half much more often these days, and they might not have players with the silky skills and eagle-eyed vision following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but Arsenal still possess pace in abundance.

There's no saying when Andre Santos will pick up the defensive side of his game. Perhaps he never will. But he typifies the attacking Brazilian wingback, and he duly notched a goal on Saturday.

This Arsenal side doesn't knock the ball around and try to walk it into the goal. This Arsenal side gets the ball and runs at the opposing defenders.

And when it clicks, it works to devastating effect.

An Array of Options, Suddenly

Thank God for Wenger's deadline day "panic buying." Suddenly, he has a lot more options to draw on from the Arsenal bench.

First, a mention for an often-derided starter. Theo Walcott put in a devastating shift at Stamford Bridge, tormenting former Gunner Ashley Cole, who is a world-class full-back in his own right. Walcott's searing pace finally paid dividends, as he made it count with a superb goal, and he finally got his crossing right. Whisper it again: Is he finally finding the consistency to fulfill his potential?

Perhaps this upturn in fortunes and improvement in form has been down to his much-lauded successor Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

With the exciting Oxlade-Chamberlain and the experienced Yossi Benayoun in reserve, an improving Andrey Arshavin on the bench and Park Ju-Young coming of age with a sumptuous debut goal, Arsene Wenger suddenly finds himself with many more options.

But perhaps the most important one came off the bench last on Saturday: Thomas Vermaelen, who made his comeback again. His return to fitness (and staying away from injury) will go a long way in helping Arsenal's turnaround.

Robin Van Persie

There was a lot of noise when Robin van Persie was chosen to be Arsenal's next captain ahead of Thomas Vermaelen. A striker? But this move has seemingly brought van Persie's ability up to a whole new level.

We all knew what he was capable of before. He had the flair, the pace, the finishing and the set-piece prowess. But the spotlight was firmly on him after Fabregas' departure, and he has responded by lifting his team on his shoulders.

Because now, Robin van Persie does all the above on a regular basis.

He's scored 28 goals in 27 Premier League appearances in 2011—the most prolific record in a calendar year. His hat trick at Stamford Bridge was the embodiment of a striker in top, top form capable of destroying teams on his own.

He's without doubt one of the top players in the League right now, but here's where the problems start. Teams will come calling. Robin van Persie may have saved Arsene Wenger's job after this Chelsea win, but Mr. Wenger will face a headache next summer if he doesn't tie his talisman down to a new contract sharpish.

Confidence, Confidence, Confidence

For all the talk that football is a tactical, technical and physical game, the most important aspect is still in the head.

And after a five-goal glut at Stamford Bridge, no matter the defensive performance, confidence will have been sky-high on the team bus back to the Emirates Stadium.

It's too early to bill this as a full resurgence, but we're seeing the benefits of confidence in none other than Arsenal's two finest examples on Saturday: Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott.

But more importantly, this is justification, another victory for Arsene Wenger. He's gotten the dogs off his back, and he'll finally be able to proceed about his work with the players and fans all on his side.

That Old Trafford drubbing seems so long ago, doesn't it? It was just two months ago that Wenger would lose his job.

Give him and his team time, he said. Their next games in the Champions League and against mid-table clubs will be a big test, but Arsene Wenger has earned the time that he so craved.