Arsenal moved to within an ace of the last 16 of the Champions League with a comprehensive 4-1 victory at home to AZ Alkmaar.

Skipper Cesc Fabregas netted twice for the Gunners, with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby also getting on the scoresheet.

Kieran Gibbs started at left-back for the Gunners, with Gael Clichy ruled out by a back problem, while Nicklas Bendtner was absent due to a groin strain.

Arsenal started brightly and in the fourth minute and attack ended with Robin van Persie smashing a right-foot shot goalwards, with keeper Sergio Romero making a save, only for the referee to award a goal-kick.

The Gunners continued to hold the upper hand and 25 minutes in they took the lead, William Gallas powered forward and found Fabregas, who cut inside his marker and his low right-foot shot squirmed past Sergio Romero at his near post.

AZ were limited to a couple of long-range efforts as they struggled to get back into the game and they fell two goals behind shortly before half-time.

Andrey Arshavin turned into space in midfield and plays the ball forward to France international Nasri, who beat the last defender and placed a low shot past the exposed Romero.

Seven minutes into the second half it was 3-0 with Arshavin again the creator, playing a clever throughball for Fabregas to run through to bury a right-foot shot past the helpless Romero.

Shortly afterwards AZ almost pulled a goal back as Graziano Pelle unleashed a rasping left-foot shot from 12 yards which was turned onto the crossbar by Manuel Almunia.

Midway through the second half Eduardo entered the fray and he played a part in the Gunners' fourth goal 18 minutes from time.

His backheel released Arshavin, who waited to play the perfect pass for the arriving Diaby to place a right-foot shot beyond Romero.

The visitors grabbed a consolation eight minutes from time as sub Jeremain Lens ran half the length of the field before toe-poking a shot past the wrongfooted Almunia.