On Tuesday the Football Association launched an investigation into allegations Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand in last week's defeat at QPR. Despite the claims, which the 30-year-old denies, Terry led his team out against the Gunners, but his nightmare week ended on a low as Arsenal ran out 5-3 winners. Terry had put his team 2-1 up at half-time after Robin van Persie had equalised Frank Lampard's opener, but the England skipper was humiliated five minutes before time when he slipped attempting to pick up a routine back pass from Florent Malouda, and Van Persie raced through to beat Petr Cech to make it 4-3. The Dutchman clinched his hat-trick in injury time to pile further woe on the west London club, whose title ambitions have taken a big blow after two straight defeats. Terry, and his centre-half partner Branislav Ivanovic looked vulnerable throughout the derby, but Villas-Boas denied the FA investigation had affected the performance of his team or their captain in any way. "Has the situation affected John? No, not at all," Villas-Boas said. "It hasn't distracted him at all, I don't think. "For me, it was never a situation. It's a misunderstanding. "It's an FA investigation, so let them investigate. "This is just defeat for a team, a very important defeat and nothing else." Andre Santos had put Arsenal level at 2-2 just after half-time before the Gunners took the lead later in the second half thanks to a brilliant solo goal from Theo Walcott, who picked himself up after falling down and muscled past three Chelsea defenders before driving a thumping shot past Petr Cech. Ten minutes before time Juan Mata then made it 3-3 with an equally brilliant 25-yard bullet before Van Persie's double towards the death clinched the crucial win for Arsenal. The defeat capped the most turbulent week of Villas-Boas tenure, but the Portuguese played down the loss, claiming the scoreline was not representative of his team's performance. He said: "You have to take two goals out of the situation because one was caused by a slip from our player that left Robin van Persie through on goal, and the other came when we were chasing an equaliser so it's nothing to do with defensive organisation. "We were punished by an unlucky situation. Luck didn't want anything with us today." The victory could mark a significant turning point in Arsenal's season. Lambasted for losing three out of their opening four games - one of which was an 8-2 hammering to Manchester United, the Gunners have bounced back in style to win eight out of their last nine in all competitions. Van Persie, who took his tally to 12 for the season, has been key to the club's revival. "He is on fire," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "He takes advantage from his class, plus the fact we attack a lot and that we create chances. "Overall the intelligence of his movement around the box and the accuracy of his finishing is exceptional." Gervinho missed a first-half sitter but was otherwise outstanding and Aaron Ramsey also excelled going forward, with his key contribution coming when he laid on a crucial pass to the Ivory Coast striker in the lead up to Van Persie's first strike. Wenger was pleased to see his forward unit put in the devastating display. Wenger added: "Chelsea have been very secure defensively in the games they have played until today so maybe it is the quality of our play that opened them up. We kept throwing everything forward. "It was a good team performance and we showed great spirit because when you are 2-1 down just before half time it can be difficult. "We showed great desire to go forward. "We always looked dangerous for the whole game." Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny revealed in the victory admitted he was extremely lucky not to get sent off for knocking over Ashley Cole when rushing out of his area in the second half. The Pole said on Twitter: "I don't know why I stayed on the pitch but WHAT A GAME!! Great spirit, great atmosphere."
