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ROBIN VAN PERSIE came to Arsenal's rescue once again with a deadly double at Carrow Road. The Dutch hotshot grabbed his 12th and 13th goals of the season after Steve Morison had fired Norwich in front. Van Persie's goals have transformed Arsene Wenger's side from the shambles of the start of the campaign. And they have now closed to within striking distance of the top four with their FIFTH Premier League win in as many games. Van Persie is fast closing in on 30 goals for 2011 and he drove an early shot across the face of John Ruddy's goal after latching onto a pass from Andre Santos. On 12 minutes, it took an acrobatic clearance by Russell Martin to deflect Theo Walcott's curling left-foot effort wide. The Gunners continued to pour forward as Norwich were stretched down both flanks. However, yet again Arsenal were undone by a mistake at the back. Per Mertesacker failed to shield what should have been a routine ball through to his keeper. That allowed Morison to outmuscle the German before slipping a shot past Wojciech Szczesny to give the Canaries an unlikely lead. After such a period of dominance Arsenal were shell shocked but soon went back on the offensive. Martin was again in the right place to knock van Persie's looping header clear. Ruddy and the Scotland defender then combined to hack away Gervinho's angled drive after the Ivorian cut in from the left. The equaliser eventually arrived on 26 minutes when Walcott skipped past Marc Tierney to cut the ball back through the six-yard box. Gervinho failed to connect with a reverse flick but Van Persie tapped in for his ninth goal in five league games. To their credit, Norwich were not overrun and continued to make progress in Arsenal's final third. But more often than not the home side opted for the wrong choice of pass when having men over. Walcott switched to the left and continued to torment the Norwich backline but Arsenal could not find a way through ahead of the interval. Norwich manager Paul Lambert made a change for the second half, replacing David Fox with winger Elliott Bennett. The change almost paid dividends when Bennett's ball from the right flew across the Arsenal area but there was no yellow shirt at the far post. Arsenal looked dangerous on the break. Vermaelen burst forward and his cut-back glanced goalwards by Gervinho but without any real power to trouble Ruddy. The Belgian then gave away a needless free-kick in a dangerous position, 22 yards out, when tripping Wes Hoolahan. Pilkington, who netted from a similar distance at Aston Villa, whipped the ball over the wall, but straight at Szczesny. Walcott was then sent clear away down the right and his near post cut-back was slotted into the side-netting by the on-rushing Aaron Ramsey. Norwich were cut open again when a sweeping Arsenal counter saw Van Persie slip Gervinho through the centre. But Ruddy was out quickly to block before the loose ball was then hacked away. On the hour, the Dutchman showed him how it should be done. Referee Phil Dowd played a fine advantage after Ramsey had been tripped, which allowed Alex Song to send Van Persie away in the right channel. The Gunners skipper took one touch before clipping a superb, angled finish over Ruddy. To their credit, Norwich quickly tried to get themselves back into the game, with Bennett's low cross just needing a touch from Pilkington at the near post. The ex-Brighton winger was then cautioned on 66 minutes for going through the back of Gervinho as he looked to break away. Lambert sent on Holt for the final 20 minutes, replacing Hoolahan. The Canaries have shown a great deal of character this season, including earning a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. And they refused to accept defeat with Holt giving Mertesacker a real test. On 77 minutes, Arsenal replaced Gervinho with midfielder Yossi Benayoun before Norwich substituted Pilkington for Canada striker Simeon Jackson. Holt was booked for taking a tumble in the box as Arsenal kept possession well during the closing stages.