Arsenal 4 - 1 AZ Alkmaar: Fabregas edges Arsenal towards last 16

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 23:29

ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas is refusing to take the Gunners' progression into the knockout stages of the Champions League as a formality despite outclassing AZ Alkmaar. Now unbeaten in 12 games, Arsenal were always in control.

Two goals by Fabregas and strikes by Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby gave Arsenal a 4-0 lead, and although Jeremain Lens pulled one back with eight minutes left, it was nothing more than a consolation.

It means Arsenal have now scored 18 goals in the last five home games and are top of Group H. Although Standard Liege's victory over Olympiakos means Arsene Wenger's men can still mathematically be overtaken, it would seem their progression will be confirmed when the Belgians visit north London in two weeks. Fabregas, though, is refusing to take anything for granted. "It is not definite so we'll have to keep working until the end," he said. "Even if we had qualified today we would have wanted to win and have gone for the six points. That is our mentality."

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Song Billong, Diaby, Fabregas (Ramsey 66), Nasri, van Persie (Eduardo 67), Arshavin (Rosicky 74). Subs not used: Mannone, Sagna, Senderos, Silvestre.

AZ Alkmaar: Romero, Jaliens, Moisander, Moreno, Poulsen (Pocognoli 64), Dembele (Lens 58), Mendes Da Silva (Wernbloom 70), Schaars, Martens, Holman, Pelle. Subs not used: Didulica, Ari, Van der Velden, Swerts. Booked: Moisander.