London, Dec 28 (DPA) Arsenal showed that they mean business in the title race this season as they beat champions Chelsea 3-1 Monday to go second in the English Premier League.

Alexander Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott put Arsenal in control with three goals in nine minutes either side of half-time, and Branislav Ivanovic's goal proved no more than a consolation for the champions.

"It is just a fantastic result for us. We pressed them really, really well as a team," Walcott said.

The win moved Arsenal back up to second, two points behind Manchester United, who have a game in hand, while Chelsea stay fourth, six points off the pace.

Having seen his team lose to Manchester United in their last match, manager Arsene Wenger had called on his players to show mental strength, and they did just that with a clinical performance, ending a run of seven straight defeats against Chelsea.

Though Arsenal had more of the possession, the first half was fairly even in terms of chances - Didier Drogba going close twice for Chelsea and Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie threatening at the other end.

But with one minute to go before the break, Fabregas looked to have been fouled when in a dangerous position, but the ball broke to Song, and he finished neatly to put Arsenal ahead.

That was a blow to Chelsea's hopes, and things quickly turned worse in the second half as first Fabregas and Walcott laid on goals for each other.

Ivanovic gave Chelsea a glimmer when he pulled one back on 57 minutes with a header, but any hope was short-lived as Arsenal easily saw out time to send out a message to their rivals.