FAB 'N NAS PUT ON TOP SHOW

ARSENAL 4 AZ Alkmaar 1

Cesc Fabregas led by  example and Samir  Nasri was back with a bang as Arsenal put one foot in the last 16.

The Gunners skipper struck a deadly double to make it four goals in his last six games.

And Nasri celebrated only his second start since he suffered a broken leg by scoring his first goal in nine months.

Abou Diaby then topped it off before Alkmaar substitute Jermain Lens scored a late consolation in this Champions League Group H clash at the Emirates.

Questions were asked about the Gunners when they conceded a late, late equaliser two weeks ago in Holland.

They followed that up by blowing a two-goal advantage to draw at West Ham.

But Arsenal have been on fire ever since, knocking Liverpool out of the Carling Cup and romping home against Tottenham.

And they started this match knowing a win would probably be enough to clinch their passage out of Group H.

The Gunners looked like they wanted to put this game to bed early as they started like an express train.

Man of the moment Robin van Persie almost put them ahead with the first chance of the match in the fifth minute. 

The Dutchman took aim from just outside the box but his rifled right-foot shot just wide of the far post.

He had another great chance soon afterwards when AZ goalkeeper Sergio Romero picked up a backpass from Hector Moreno.

Referee Alain Hamer of Luxembourg awarded a free-kick six yards from goal, but the shot from Van Persie was blocked.

Alkmaar boss Ronald Koeman went into the game unbeaten in five matches as a manager against Arsenal.

The legendary Dutchman’s PSV Eindhoven side even knocked them out of this competition during the 2006-07 season.

But Koeman’s team were hardly getting a kick at the Emirates – and it was no surprise when they went behind to a Fabregas strike.

He cut inside Kew Jaliens and unleashed a right-foot bobbler from just outside the area which Romero got a hand to but could not stop.

The Spaniard’s effort actually went right through the legs of Jaliens before sneaking into the bottom corner.

But it was fully deserved on the balance of play and left the visitors with a mountain to climb.Maarten Martens tried to do just that but his long-range effort was right down the throat of Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia.

And it looked all over for them when Nasri made it two just before half-time with his first goal since he scored at Newcastle in March.

The Frenchman suffered his leg injury during a pre-season training camp.

But he looked back to his best when he latched on to Andrey Arshavin’s pass and left Moreno on his backside before firing into the bottom corner.

Romero seemd to get his fingertips to that effort as well, but it still had enough power on it to sneak past him.

Mysteriously, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had spent most of the first half with a frown on his face, waving his arms about in the dug-out.

At least there was no repeat of his antics against Spurs, when he flung his jacket down in disgust despite his team’s dominant display.

The Frenchman is a perfectionist, but you would think he would cut his side some slack after such a strong showing against the Dutch champions.

Wenger certainly need not have worried as Fabregas gave his side a three-goal cushion shortly after the break.

He lifted the ball over Romero and high into the net from 12 yards after racing on to a perfect through ball from Arshavin in the 52nd minute.

Graziano Pelle almost pulled one back shortly afterwards when he met a Martens header down on the turn from about the same distance.

But Almunia pulled off a fine reaction save to tip his goalbound effort on to the bar. Yet Arsenal’s response was a class reply on 72 minutes with substitute Eduardo, on for Fabregas, back-heeling for Arshavin to feed Diaby, who slotted home right-footed.

Eight minutes from time Lens robbed Kieran Gibbs on halfway and ran on to fire past Almunia.

But the win strengthened Arsenal’s position at the top of the group, especially with second-placed team Olympiakos losing 2-0 at Standard Liege.

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