Arsenal 4-1 AZ Alkmaar match report: The Daily Mirror verdict

One down, four to go.

Arsene Wenger believes nasty November will go a long way to deciding Arsenal’s destiny this season.

And they could not have begun the month in more convincing fashion as they swept aside AZ Alkmaar with great ease and style - even if it was with the help of an awful Argentinian keeper.

But Wenger believes if Arsenal can survive November - and crunch fixtures with Wolves, Sunderland, Chelsea and Standard Liege - without getting major injuries then they can mount a serious challenge on two fronts.

It will not, however, just be about survival of the fittest but also which team hits form in the Premier League title race and Champions League.

And right now there are few better teams in Europe let alone England than Wenger’s great entertainers. Arsenal are as good as through into the knock-out stages and they look in great shape in the title race, too.

Cesc Fabregas scored twice and fit-again Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby also hit the target but that was not too difficult against Argentina’s first choice keeper Sergio Romero.

If you thought Diego Maradona was a bad manager then just wait till you see the keeper! There is no way that Argentina can win the World Cup with either this clown in goal or Maradona’s Hand of God picking the team.

Group H has been a walkover for Arsenal as Olympiacos surrendered at the Emirates, Standard Liege were equally poor and, in all honesty, Arsenal should have done the double over AZ Alkmaar.

AZ boss Ronald Koeman had never beaten Wenger in five previous meetings and the reigning Dutch champions - which is a poor advert for the country’s domestic game - only snatched an injury time equaliser two weeks ago.

But last night Wenger finally got the better of Koeman and taught the Dutch a thing or two about Total Football with a wonderful exhibition of the beautiful game.

Make no mistake. Arsenal are every bit as good as they were two years ago when they were top of the Premier League for most of the season. And with Andrey Arshavin, they are probably better.

The brilliant Russian played a part in three of Arsenal’s four goals but even Arshavin had a few rivals and was probably eclipsed for the man-of-the-match award last night.

Diaby was outstanding and capped a brilliant display from start to finish with a superbly taken goal.

Fabregas scored twice and Nasri gave Arsenal a perfect tonic with his first goal on only his second start since his breaking his leg in pre-season.

There was even redemption of sorts for Kieran Gibbs who did well and banished memories of his costly slip against Manchester United in last season’s Champions League semi-final.

Gibbs is destined to keep his place at left-back until Gael Clichy returns from his back injury in a couple of months.

It perhaps shows that Arsenal do have some strength in depth even if injuries do begin to bite in November.

And if they can stay fit and firing then they are a force to be reckoned with. It took Arsenal just 25 minutes to ease ahead as Fabregas cut inside David Mendes da Silva before unleashing a daisy cutter from 20 yards.

It looked as if it would be a straightforward save for Romero. But take nothing for granted against this goalkeeping liability and the ball squeezed past him at his near post.

Arshavin came to the fore for the second as his through ball released Nasri down the middle and the French midfielder was allowed time and space to fire past the hapless Romero.

Arsenal were in cruise control. Diaby made a terrific interception in the 52nd minute, fed Arshavin and the Russian’s clever through ball allowed Fabregas to spring the offside trap and fire into an empty net as Romero dived way too early.

Arsenal’s best goal came in the 72nd minute as Eduardo’s brilliant back heel found Arshavin and his square pass set up Diaby and the Frenchman’s rampaging run and confident finish brought back memories of Patrick Vieira at his peak.

Even a late consolation for AZ through substitute Jeremain Lens could not spoil Arsenal’s night. They do not look water tight at the back, but when you have such talent in attack they are always liable to score more than the opposition.