On 20 March 2010, Arsenal went top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win away against West Ham.

It was Arsenal’s sixth straight win and despite Thomas Vermaelen getting sent off in the 44th minute, goals from Denilson and Cesc Fabregas allowed the Gunners to leave with all three points.

Despite being top of the table in March, Arsenal eventually finished that season in third.

Robin van Persie picked up an ankle injury in November, which saw him sidelined for 155 days. He didn’t return until April, which took its toll.

After the win at West Ham, Arsenal drew 1-1 away with Birmingham and won 1-0 at home against Wolves but would go on to only win one game out of the last five.

Elsewhere, Manchester City knocked the Gunners out of the League Cup (3-0) and Stoke dumped them out of the fourth round of the FA Cup (3-1).

That season, Arsenal managed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 at home to Barcelona. However, at Camp Nou, the Catalans were too strong and thrashed Arsenal 4-1.