Arsenal brushed aside Reading 2-0 at the Emirates on Saturday for only their second win in nine Premier League games.
First half goals by Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto Silva were enough to leave Gunners fans smiling again after a dismal run that wrecked the London club's title hopes and ended their Champions League dreams.
Arsenal are still in the hunt for second place but must make up a four-point gap on Chelsea with three games left.
Reading, perched just three points above the relegation zone, held out for 30 minutes before Adebayor showed a delightful touch to make space in the area and side-foot a shot past American keeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Eight minutes later Steve Coppell's side were left with a mountain to climb when Gilberto's shot brushed off the forehead of Andre Bikey and beyond the diving Hahnemann.
Reading offered virtually no threat and Arsenal were denied further goals when both Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott struck shots against the woodwork.
Victory puts Arsenal on 74 points in third place. Chelsea, who beat Everton 1-0 on Thursday, have 78. Leaders Manchester United, who have 80 points, can go five points clear with three matches to go if they win at Blackburn Rovers later.