Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue put Arsenal into a commanding position at Bloomfield Road but Gary Taylor-Fletcher replied as relegation-threatened Blackpool played for their top-flight lives. Taylor-Fletcher felt he was denied a penalty but Van Persie made victory safe for Arsenal after 76 minutes.
The afternoon started in dramatic fashion as Almunia injured his knee in the warm-up and manager Arsene Wenger was forced to turn to 41-year-old Lehmann. It was an unexpected 200th appearance in a Gunners jersey for the German, who was recently coaxed out of retirement to provide emergency cover in the title run-in. Lehmann had little to do in the first half as Arsenal, with captain Cesc Fabregas also back in their starting line-up, overpowered the struggling Tangerines.
Blackpool had an early chance when Ian Evatt headed over from a Charlie Adam corner but after that it appeared Arsenal had no intention of suffering a repeat of their last week's Blackburn stalemate. Andrey Arshavin and Van Persie put early shots over before Richard Kingson rushed out to deny Samir Nasri.
It quickly became one-way traffic and the Gunners carved open the Blackpool defence with ease to claim a 17th-minute lead. Fabregas picked out Van Persie with a superb cross-field ball and the Dutchman crossed for Diaby to sidefoot home from close range.
Arsenal grabbed a second three minutes later, Eboue played a neat one-two in the box with Jack Wilshere and then blasted past Kingson. Blackpool enjoyed a little spell of possession but were unable to test Lehmann. Van Persie had another chance controlling a long Fabregas pass and shot at Kingson.
Kingson needed to be alert again to block an effort by the fleet-footed Nasri after more slick football by the Gunners. Nasri had another opportunity seconds later when the ball was lobbed back into the box by Fabregas but his volley hit the bottom of the post. Van Persie then took the ball past the outrushing Kingson to set up Diaby but Stephen Crainey got back to tackle.
The home fans thought Adam had pulled one back immediately after the restart but his long-range free-kick had struck the side-netting. The Tangerines, however, had realised they had little to lose by taking the game to Arsenal and did reply after 52 minutes.
Luke Varney was fouled but play carried on and Jason Puncheon played in Campbell. The striker appeared to be fouled by Lehmann as he closed in on goal but the ball ran on for Taylor-Fletcher to fire home.
Blackpool were inspired and poured forward again. Manager Ian Holloway was furious his side were denied a penalty when Taylor-Fletcher went down under a Laurent Koscielny challenge. Taylor-Fletcher then headed wide as Blackpool maintained the pressure but Van Persie shot across the face of goal at the other end.
Arsenal made the game safe 14 minutes from time as they quickly turned defence into attack. Campbell shaped to shoot for Blackpool but Sebastien Squillaci won possession and Fabregas released substitute Theo Walcott down the right.
Blackpool struggled to get back and Walcott crossed low into the box and Van Persie made no mistake in front of goal. Blackpool tried to set up a tight finish but Evatt headed at Lehmann and the Gunners eased to the final whistle.
Arsenal fans, now the gap is down to 7 points do you think you could win the Premier League or are you looking to the new season?
Blackpool fans, your one place above the relegation zone, will it be Championship football for you or can Holloways boys climb the table to safety.
Let us know your feelings by emailing jaymoe26@gmail.com or twitter @jamiemason76
LINE UPS:
Blackpool: 28-Kingson, 03-Crainey, 04-Southern, 06-Evatt, 12-Taylor-Fletcher, 15-Baptiste, 16-Varney, 20-Cathcart, 26-Adam, 39, Campbell, 42-Puncheon Subs used: 23-Phillips, 41-Kornilenko, 43-Reid
Arsenal: 13-Lehmann, 02-Diaby, 04-Fabregas, 06-Koscielny, 08-Nasri, 10-Van Persie, 18-Squillaci, 19-Wilshere, 22-Clichy, 23-Arshavin, 27-Eboue Subs used: 14-Walcott, 16-Ramsey, 28-Gibbs
