Summary When John Terry restored Chelsea's lead just before half-time,Frank Lampard having opened the scoring early on, the second half was full of promise, but a sleepy, sloppy second-half display resulted in the first home defeat under Andre Villas-Boas.
Arsenal went into the lead with two goals shortly after the restart but Juan Matathen made it all to play for by scoring the goal of the game with 10 minutes remaining. However Robin van Persie registered a hat-trick with the final two goals, the first following Chelsea mistakes.
It was great entertainment for any neutral as both teams played an open match, but Chelsea will not wish to be so vulnerable at the back again this season.
Team news Branislav Ivanovic partnered John Terry in central defence withDavid Luiz dropped to the bench. Fit-again Ramires came into midfield andFernando Torres returned up front.
Jamal Blackman, who turned 18 yesterday, was the keeper on the bench withRoss Turnbull suspended and Hilario ill.
Arsenal made one change from their last league outing - Robin van Persie back in their attack in place of Marouane Chamakh.
First half Chelsea, complete with British Legion poppies embroidered on shirts, attacked the Shed End first on a bright and breezy early afternoon and had a chance after only one minute and 20 seconds. Instigated by Lampard and crossed by Sturridge, the move ended with Torres's first-time shot being deflected wide.
Three minutes later, Torres would surely have scored had Sturridge been more accurate with another ball across after a tide of blue shirts raced clear of the Arsenal backline.
Chelsea were looking good. Before 10 minutes were played Bosingwa crossed dangerously but Lampard was well-marked.
A half of missed opportunities began when the best chance fell to Arsenal. Cole was unable to hindered Walcott's advance down the right and with Cech and Ivanovic taken out of the equation by the cross, Gervinho scooped wide of an unguarded net. Not far behind in wastefulness came Van Persie's miss only a minute later, volleying over with Walcott again the provider.
Arsenal fans must have been fearing they would pay for spurning those sitters and they did not have to wait long for worries to prove justified.
Ivanovic spread the play and Mata, far out on the right, controlled the ball and then looped over a cross that this time Lampard headed home with a thump. There were 14 minutes played.
What had been a very open game went into a tighter patch for the next 20 minutes although it needed an inspired Cole challenge to prevent Gervinho breaking clean through.
The half of bad misses continued, this time a Chelsea player culpable. Lampard's vision sent Sturridge bearing down on Szczesny but our joint top scorer before the game sliced a bouncing ball badly wide.
Chelsea were looking to exploit Arsenal weakness down their left flank. Sturridge took on and roasted Santos for pace, then Bosingwa ran into space to cross a little later but the Blues lacked anyone to turn it in.
Arsenal's leveller came with 10 minutes to go to the break. Mikel won but then lost the ball inside our half and the visitors cut us open down the middle. Arteta won the challenge, Ramsey passed onto Gervinho who had timed his run well. The Ivorian slipped the ball sideways for Van Persie to tap in.
Chelsea thought we had hit back almost immediately but Sturridge had moved half-a-yard offside before he turned in Ramires's pass.
We were destined to go down the tunnel at half-time ahead however and it was the skipper that obliged a minute before the interval, guiding Lampard's corner into the bottom corner with his boot after he had moved in front of Mertesacker.
Second half
Chelsea were for some reason almost asleep at the start of the second half. Inquests followed after Cech needed to save with his feet when Van Persie was left all alone to race clear.
Ramsey also had a chance but looped a close-range shot over before Santos did score three minutes in. Bosingwa was drawn into the middle and the full-back exploited the space by taking a pass and finishing through Cech's legs.
It was a very disappointing few minutes by the Blues but as we took the initiative again, Szczesny raced out of his area and upended Cech. He was shown a yellow card, but why not a red?
The Polish keeper was tested by Lampard's well-struck free-kick but pushed it wide.
Arsenal's third goal was admittedly a work of quality by Walcott. He looked hemmed in by the Chelsea defence but with quick feet knocked the ball into space and then slammed a shot into the net.
Arsenal were ahead for the first time but there were still 35 minutes remaining to pull it around.
Cech had to save from Ramsey before Andre Villas-Boas made his first change, Malouda on for Sturridge. 

For reasons only he could justify, Wenger was incensed when play was waved on after Gervinho's attempt to beat Bosingwa in the box ended with a lame stumble.
Two further changes to the Chelsea side came - Lukaku for Ramires with Malouda moving back into midfield and then Meireles on for Mikel. Ivanovic and Van Persie were both booked for an off-the-ball moment.
Chelsea's passing inside the Arsenal half lacked accuracy so Juan Matadecided to do it all on his own.
Meireles was involved in winning the ball before Mata advanced and struck a shot from just under 30 yards out that rose and then dipped out of the reach of the Gunners' keeper.
There were 10 minutes left to play and the momentum should have been with Chelsea but then we conspired to gift Arsenal a fourth.Malouda was wayward with a pass in Terry's direction and as the skipper turned to chase it he slipped. Van Persie snapped it up and side-stepped Cech to score.
Mata had two late shots blocked, the second after Szczesny had spilled but the job was completed for Arsenal when they counter-attacked in stoppage time and Van Persie bent a shot beyond Cech.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole; Ramires (Lukaku 72), Mikel (Meireles 75), Lampard; Sturridge (Malouda 61), Torres, Mata.
Scorers Lampard 14, Terry 44, Mata 80.
Unused subs Blackman, Bertrand, David Luiz, Romeu.

Booked Ivanovic 77, Meireles 90.
Arsenal (4-4-3): Szczesny; Djourou (Jenkinson 75), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos; Ramsey, Song, Arteta; Walcott (Rosicky 78), Van Persie (c), Gervinho (Vermaelen 88).
Unused subs Fabianski, Frimprong, Park, Arshavin.
Scorers Van Persie 35, 85, 90, Santos 48, Walcott 55.
Booked Szczesny 49, Van Persie 77, Song 90.
Referee Andre Marriner
Crowd 41,801.