Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar: Fabregas leads the way in Gunners' super show

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas struck twice against AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium to put Arsene Wenger's men on the brink of the Champions League knockout stages.

Fabregas struck either side of half-time, with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby grabbing the other goals to put the hosts in total control of Group H with two matches left to play.

By sweeping aside their Dutch opponents, the freescoring Gunners have now scored 18 goals in their last five home games. Jeremain Lens pulled one back for the visitors.

Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was given his chance to impress at left-back following Gael Clichy's back injury.

Gibbs, who has been tipped as an outsider to make England's World Cup squad, was one of three changes from the team that defeated Tottenham at the weekend, with Bacary Sagna on the bench and Nicklas Bendtner injured.

France midfielder Samir Nasri made his second start of the season following a fractured leg and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger recalled Emmanuel Eboue for the clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The hosts knew they could go through to the next round of the competition if they won and other results in Group H went their way.

Robin van Persie had two early chances for the hosts, the first when he flashed wide following a move that involved his two supporting forwards - Nasri backheeled and Andrey Arshavin weighted the ball through.

Van Persie then had an opportunity when AZ goalkeeper Sergio Romero picked up a 40-yard back pass from Maarten Martens. Romero had his defenders to thank when they stood still on the line and blocked Van Persie's free-kick.

AZ coach Ronald Koeman, England's nemesis in the 1990s, boasted an unbeaten record against Arsenal, drawing the majority of his clashes with them while at PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.

His young AZ side, seventh in the Dutch Eredivisie, looked like they were playing for another stalemate and invited Wenger's men to add to their 14 goals from their last four home games.

The opener eventually came in the 25th minute, from a move that started with William Gallas carrying the ball from the right flank to the left.

He offloaded to Fabregas on the edge of the area - former skipper to current - and the Spain midfielder cut inside David Mendes da Silva and shot between the defender's legs.

Romero may have had his sight blocked, which would account for why he took so long to get across and ultimately fail to save at the near post.

The visitors responded with Martens marauding forward but shooting straight at Manuel Almunia, while Brett Holman went wide with another effort.

Fabregas, however, could have added another when Gibbs floated a cross to the back post where his skipper headed over the crossbar.

Gibbs was needed at the other end before the break when Moussa Dembele had sight of goal but was denied by a last-ditch block by the England Under-21 international.

Nasri added the second, two minutes before the break. Arshavin fed him the ball and the France midfielder span around Hector Moreno, leaving the hapless defender on his backside, before racing through and finishing coolly.

The third goal came seven minutes after the break when AZ gifted possession to the hosts in midfield. Arshavin split the AZ defence and Fabregas sent Romero the wrong way with his finish.

There appeared no way back for the visitors, although Graziano Pelle had his effort tipped on to the bar by Manuel Almunia shortly after Fabregas struck, with the chance set up by Martens nodding a cross into his path.

Wenger took the opportunity to rest Fabregas and Van Persie, with Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo given a run out.

Thomas Vermaelen almost scored from the corner straight after the double swap, then Gibbs went just wide with his right foot from the edge of the area.

The fourth goal came from Diaby, his fourth of the season, 18 minutes from full-time. Eduardo played his part with an outrageous backheel to send Arshavin into space.

The Russia playmaker threaded through for Diaby, who took a touch before finishing.

Lens came off the bench and pulled one back for the Dutch side when he shrugged Ramsey off the ball and finished into Almunia's near post.

Ramsey almost atoned for his part in the goal but struck the crossbar when Nasri's flick sent him through.