Van Persie marks Wenger milestone in style

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie (R) celebrates with Gilberto after scoring his second goal against Charlton. Van Persie marked Arsene Wenger's 10th anniversary as Arsenal manager with both goals in the 2-1 victory.

Robin van Persie marked Arsene Wenger's 10th anniversary as Arsenal manager with a stunning goal to seal a 2-1 win over Charlton.

The Dutch striker launched a spectacular 20-yard volley - struck first-time and in mid-air - past startled goalkeeper Scott Carson just after half-time to help the Gunners towards their fifth consecutive victory.

Van Persie, 23, had been fortunate to stay on the pitch after apparently lashing out at Charlton's Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in the first half and he made the most of his good fortune.

He also cancelled out Darren Bent's opener for the Addicks, who are facing up to a relegation battle after losing six of their first seven Premiership matches under new manager Iain Dowie.

Wenger has no such concerns. The Frenchman had played down the significance of his own milestone in the build-up to this game, mindful of the fact that his team's early-season jitters had left them seven points behind the leaders Chelsea.

But if the visitors were feeling the pressure, they did not show it. Arsenal made a typically breezy start, with Francesc Fabregas at the hub of their best moves.

The Spanish midfielder saw an early 20-yard shot well saved by Carson and then, in the 16th minute, the midfielder headed over from Thierry Henry's exquisite cross.

Charlton looked understandably nervy and yet it was they who snatched the lead in the 21st minute, although the goal was not without controversy.

Arsenal were adamant that Hasselbaink was offside when he collected Hermann Hreidarsson's long pass, although television replays suggested the Dutchman had timed his run to perfection. Once Hasselbaink had squared across the box, Bent's close-range finish was a formality.

Falling behind shook Arsenal. The game had already displayed a spiteful edge, with Hreidarsson and Kevin Lisbie collecting early bookings, but events threatened to spiral out of control when Van Persie crudely hacked down Hasselbaink.

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry runs towards two Charlton defenders during the Premiership match at The Valley. Robin van Persie marked Arsene Wenger's 10th anniversary as Arsenal manager with a stunning goal to seal a 2-1 win over Charlton.

Charlton clamoured for a red card but referee Mark Clattenburg, after consulting with his assistant, awarded a yellow and the full implications of that decision were realised moments later when Van Persie controlled Aleksandr Hleb's precise pass and lashed an equaliser past Carson.

But if that goal owed everything to Arsenal's patient, probing style, Van Persie's second was a piece of astonishing individual brilliance.

There seemed little danger when Emmanuel Eboue slung over a cross from the right but, from just outside the area, the Dutchman leapt to meet the ball with a breathtaking right-footed volley which arrowed high into the net.

That piece of brilliance inspired both sides, who traded blows with exhilarating panache in the final 30 minutes.

Carson made three inspired saves, twice from Henry and again from Fabregas, but it was Arsenal's Jens Lehmann who made the most telling contribution.

The German superbly parried Hasselbaink's near-post drive, although he should have been given no chance by the former Chelsea striker late on when he somehow headed wide from Bryan Hughes's cross.