Thierry Henry continued his good goal-scoring run as Arsenal dispensed of Blackburn Rovers by 3-0 at Highbury today.
Having already eclipsed Ian Wright as the club's all-time record scorer, he became the first Arsenal player to score 100 league goals at Highbury and the first Premiership player to mark a century in the same stadium.
However, this was a day when talent prevailed and Henry's effortless finish on the stroke of half-time was matched by Robin van Persie's exquisite strike in the final minute from the tightest of angles.
Despite being troubled in defence after Cesc Fabregas' early opener, the Gunners completed a seventh consecutive home league victory of the season, keeping up the pressure on Chelsea.
Fabregas seized on a loose ball after Reyes had been tackled on the edge of the penalty area by Andy Todd and passed the ball into the far corner with as much nonchalance as skill.
With Arsenal having beaten Blackburn three times last season conceding a goal, Mark Hughes's side were left with a tough task to try and get back in the match
It was almost made even more difficult soon afterwards only for Brad Friedel to dive full-length to tip Henry's free-kick around the post, while Kolo Toure twice came close from corners.
However, Blackburn started to pose serious problems for Arsenal's defence, with Bellamy emerging as their chief tormentor. Shefki Kuqi and Morten Gamst Pedersen also came close.
Bellamy forced Lehmann into a smart reaction save with a snap-shot before Toure headed his follow-up effort over the bar and the Welshman also nipped ahead of Toure to divert a long ball by Lucas Neill just past the post.
Savage was more intent on baiting Reyes, but Arsenal responded by upping the tempo and while Toure missed another opening, Henry was not as wasteful.
The Frenchman effortlessly capitalised on Robert Pires' through-ball to turn inside and curl a first-time shot inside the far post that was beautiful in its sheer simplicity.
Immediately after the restart, Henry threaded a low cross across the face of goal, with Dennis Bergkamp just failing to make contact at the far post.
Blackburn continued to pose problems of their own, with Bellamy's cross being cut out by Gilberto at full stretch and Kuqi's header was cleared off the line by Pires.
Stephen Reid was also just wide with a long-range effort as Blackburn, whose only away league win of the season so far had come at Old Trafford, battled to get back into the game.
Hughes brought on David Thompson to replace Brett Emerton but it was still Bellamy who remained his side's main threat, clipping the outside of the post with a header from Pedersen's cross.
Lehmann was nevertheless equal to the Blackburn challenge, tipping Pedersen's inswinging corner over the bar, twice foiling Thompson and then racing out to beat Bellamy to a through-ball.
The difference between the two sides was Arsenal's extra degree of class in front of goal. And that was perfectly demonstrated by van Persie, a late substitute for Bergkamp, in the 89th minute.
The Dutchman skipped through attempted challenges from Savage and Michael Gray before curling a superb shot in off the far post. It was a fitting end to a poignant afternoon.
