ROBIN van Persie's wonder strike helped Arsenal earn their fifth win in a row. Darren Bent had fired the struggling Addicks ahead from close range. Van Persie then equalised in the 32nd minute . . . and volleyed in a brilliant strike at the start of the second half to earn the win.

Charlton had started aggressively, with Bryan Hughes and Hermann Hreidarsson helping set the tone with stiff tackles. Arsenal though were still on top in the early exchanges with Charlton keeper Scott Carson kept on his toes, saving from Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard then threatened again, going close with a header, before Charlton took a shock lead. A long punt upfield by Hreidarsson found Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in space ahead of the defence on the right in the 21st minute.

Although the Dutchman appeared almost two yards offside, play was waived on as the assistant kept his flag down . . . and a simple cut-back saw Bent score at the far post.

Arsenal were incensed, and television replays showed manager Arsene Wenger had plenty of justification.

Arsenal channelled their anger though to find the equaliser in the 29th minute.

Henry nutmegged a defender on the edge of the area and fed Hleb inside the box. Hleb turned two defenders before chipping the ball back over to the awaiting van Persie who dispatched a low drive.

Arsenal ended the opening period on top, but without making their possession count in the final third. They only needed four minutes of the second half to take the lead however, with that breathtaking effort from Van Persie.

Eboue chased away down the right and whipped over a cross towards the edge of the area.

Van Persie had timed his run to perfection . . . and leapt to rocket a stunning left-footed volley into the top-right corner.

They could have made the game safe shortly after when Hleb robbed Jonathan Fortune in his own penalty area and the loose ball fell to Henry 12 yards out however Carson was quickly off his line to make a block. At the other end, Lehmann moved sharply at his left-hand post to keep out Andy Reid's angled drive.

Van Persie missed a glorious chance to seal a hat-trick in the 63rd minute, but he touched Henry's cross wide with the goal at his mercy.

Charlton had what looked strong appeals for a handball and a penalty against William Gallas turned away following Bent's over-head kick, but Arsenal kept looking dangerous, Henry curling just wide on 76 minutes. Hasselbaink almost rescued a point for Iain Dowie's side as he flashed a close-range header wide late on, but Van Persie's wonder goal proved the winner.