Source: Eurosport
Gunners shoot down Alkmaar
Arsenal all but secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after taking apart AZ Alkmaar 4-1 at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]Victory for Standard Liege over Olympiacos means, mathematically, Arsene Wenger's side could yet be overtaken for the top two places in Group H. However, if the way in which the Dutch champions were outclassed, helped by a brace from captain Cesc Fabregas, is any evidence, then Arsenal's status as genuine challengers for the European crown will be confirmed when the Belgians travel to north London in two weeks.[LNB]Arsenal gifted the lead after 25 minutes. A quick break down the left freed Fabregas on the edge of the penalty area. The Gunners captain was given space to drive the ball through David Mendes da Silva's legs, and as Sergio Romero completely mistimed his dive, it somehow crept inside the far post.[LNB]The Gunners doubled their lead just before half-time. Andrey Arshavin fed Samir Nasri down the middle. The Frenchman, now fit again following a fractured leg suffered during pre-season, turned Hector Moreno inside out to burst into the penalty area, before dispatching a low effort into the bottom right corner.[LNB]Before AZ could regroup at the start of the second half, Arsenal were out of sight after scoring a third goal after 52 minutes. The visitors gave away possession in midfield, and it proved fatal as Arshavin sprinted towards the penalty area, before slipping in Fabregas, who fired the ball past Romero.[LNB]It was 4-0 in the 72nd minute following another flowing counter-attack. A clever back-heel from Eduardo released Arshavin down the right. The Russian took the ball on into the area, before squaring to Abou Diaby, who made no mistake from 12 yards. AZ scored a consolation when Jeremain Lens held off Gibbs to fire past Manueal Almunia.
