As statements of intent go, it was a truly inspired performance by champions desperate not to surrender their crown.

For while Chelsea may have meekly surrendered any realistic title ambitions against Leicester, Arsenal made it clear that they would push Manchester United to the limits in defence of the Premiership.

Instead of stuttering to a halt like Chelsea yesterday, after seizing a 2-0 lead through Ray Parlour and Patrick Vieira, the Gunners destroyed Wimbledon in a devastating three-minute period near the start of the second half.

An own-goal by Ben Thatcher, a strike by Dennis Bergkamp to help erase the painful memory of his FA Cup penalty miss last week, and a tap-in by Nwankwo Kanu all sent a clear warning to United ahead of their trip to Juventus.

For Arsenal not only closed the gap on the Premiership leaders to a point - even if they have played a game more - but they also narrowed United's previously huge advantage on goal difference to manageable proportions.

And just in case anyone had doubted their renowned resilience, they proved that even that FA Cup semi-final defeat by United would not derail their season.

Last April, the Gunners inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Wimbledon to move above United to the top of the table - a position which they never let slip.

This time around, they may have been facing a depleted Dons side, with Chris Perry and Michael Hughes especially missed.

But just as they had done in holding United recently, the Dons were seemingly intent on securing a draw, with midfielders Stewart Castledine, Ceri Hughes and Robbie Earle rarely moving from their shielding role in front of the back four.

Although the opening 30 minutes were one-way traffic, Arsenal nevertheless struggled to breach the blue wall ahead of them.

All too often the Gunners, who even left joint leading scorer Nicolas Anelka on the bench, were restricted to hopeful, long-range efforts - indeed they had 13 efforts on goal before they finally broke the deadlock.

Bergkamp, who had been given a rousing welcome in a bid to boost his deflated morale, did force 'keeper Neil Sullivan to tip over a drive which was powering toward the top corner after an effortless turn.

Vieira wasted a glorious opening when he blazed a wild shot over the bar from close range after Tony Adams had headed a corner back across goal, while Parlour almost made the most of a Kanu back-flick.

But it was only when the Gunners found the width to get behind the massed defensive ranks that they seriously threatened to beat the impressive Sullivan.

Parlour headed over the bar after one flowing move involving almost half of the side, but when Marc Overmars then showed persistence to reach the byline and cut the ball back, the midfielder was on hand to finally make the overwhelming pressure tell.

In contrast, the Dons were largely non-existent as an attacking force, relying only on the pace of Marcus Gayle to capitalise on long-balls into the corners.

It was on a rare breakaway by the visitors four minutes after the break that Nigel Winterburn intercepted the ball well inside his own half, scurried forward 40 yards and slipped the ball sideways.

The pass may even have been meant for Overmars, but Vieira had spotted the inviting space ahead of him and controlled it, took two giant strides and let fly with a left-footed drive straight into the bottom corner.

Carl Cort placed a header just wide from a free-kick, but by now, Arsenal were rampant and took the hapless Dons defence apart.

They could afford to see Nelson Vivas head an effort over the bar and Kanu place a follow-up just wide after Sullivan had parried an effort from Overmars.

But on 56 minutes, it was 3-0, as Bergkamp crossed for Kanu to head against the post, and the ball to rebounded into the net off Thatcher.

A minute later, Bergkamp was played through after fine approach work by Winterburn and Emmanuel Petit, and although Sullivan managed to get his hand to the shot, he could not prevent it sneaking just inside the far post.

Two minutes after that, it was 5-0, as Bergkamp played the ball to Kanu, he turned and although the ball was taken off the toe of the advancing Vieira, it merely wrong-footed Sullivan and left Kanu to tap his shot into an empty net.

After that breathless spell, it was hard to maintain the same frenetic momentum, and Arsenal allowed Wimbledon a consolation effort 20 minutes from time when Cort rose unchallenged to meet a free-kick from Hughes.

But there was still a renewed vein of confidence running through the team which led to Winterburn venturing forward again to strike a drive just over the top.

In the closing stages, Sullivan saved from Overmars and substitute Kaba Diawara, while the Frenchman also blazed a volley over the top.

Arsenal registered an incredible total of 34 attempts on goal - 18 of them on target - and escaped any bookings.

It may now be a two-horse title race, barring a Chelsea recovery of miracle proportions, but it promises to be one of true quality. end

Teams

Arsenal: Seaman, Vivas, Keown (Bould 89), Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Vieira, Petit, Overmars, Bergkamp (Diawara 69), Kanu.

Subs Not Used: Anelka, Grimandi, Lukic.

Goals: Parlour 34, Vieira 49, Thatcher 56 og, Bergkamp 57,Kanu 59.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Blackwell, Thatcher, Kimble, Hughes, Castledine (Hartson 74), Gayle, Euell (Ainsworth 89),Earle, Cort.

Subs Not Used: Heald, Leaburn, Jupp.

Booked: Thatcher, Hughes.

Goals: Cort 70.

Att: 37,982

Ref: S Lodge (Barnsley).