Arsenal 2 - 0 Standard Liege

Arsenal sealed their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League in convincing fashion with a comfortable win against Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side needed only a point to seal qualification for the knockout phase for a seventh consecutive season - but they never looked in serious danger of clinching anything less than three as they dominated the Belgians for long periods.

Samir Nasri took advantage of Landry Mulemo's slip to put the Gunners ahead after 35 minutes and Denilson struck a spectacular, swerving second from 30 yards in first-half injury time.

Only ill-fortune and Arsenal's own carelessness prevented the scoreline from wearing a more realistic appearance, especially in the first half, with Andrey Arshavin even inadvertently clearing off the line from team-mate Thomas Vermaelen after Carlos Vela struck an upright in one goalmouth melee.

But Standard carried a threat of their own, backed by a vociferous following, with Dieudonne Mbokani and Gohi Bi Cyriac hitting the woodwork in each half.

Standard's disappointment was complete in the closing stages when Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez was sent off after a touchline clash with Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal boss Wenger will now hope his side can take their impressive form in the group stage forward and go one step further than last season's Champions League campaign, when they exited against Manchester United in the semi-final.

Wenger demanded an instant response to Saturday's Premier League defeat at Sunderland - and he got it in the shape of silky first-half display full of the usual Arsenal trademarks of passing and fluidity.

Nasri and Fabregas pulled the strings in the centre of the action as Arsenal took complete control from the first whistle to put the visitors under ceaseless pressure.

Fabregas was picked out by Nasri after only five minutes but his effort was saved by Sinan Bolat, while Felipe was forced to block bravely as Carlos Vela closed in on goal.

Standard then somehow survived a series of goalmouth escapes in the same incident when Arshavin had a shot saved by Bolat and Vela hit the post before Vermaelen's goal-bound shot struck the Russian on head on the goal-line and rebounded to safety.

Arsenal almost paid for their lack of a killer touch in front of goal after 22 minutes when powerful striker Mbokani beat Manuel Almunia with a rising drive that struck the angle of post and bar.

It was a brief interruption to what was a story of complete Arsenal supremacy, and William Gallas headed over from eight yards as Standard were exposed by another Fabregas cross.

Gallas collided with the unfortunate Arshavin as he made the header, and both required lengthy treatment. The reduced numbers did not have an adverse effect on Arsenal as they took the lead 10 minutes from half-time with Arshavin still waiting to return to the action.

Mulemo was unfortunate to slip as he went to deal with Vermaelen's routine long ball, allowing Nasri to race clear and bury an emphatic finish beyond Bolat.

Nasri scored his second goal of an injury-disrupted season

Nasri then set Arshavin up for a finish that flashed just wide before Arsenal doubled their lead in spectacular fashion.

Bolat looked to be badly at fault as he was beaten by Denilson's effort from 30 yards, but the ball swerved viciously in the air and credit must go to the Brazilian.

Standard had been second best by some distance, but they wasted a chance to give themselves hope six minutes after the break when Axel Witsel could only turn a tame effort into the arms of Almunia from six yards after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.

The hosts were still in charge, without enjoying the same domination as in the first period, and Wenger made a change on the hour, sending on Theo Walcott for the excellent Nasri.

And he almost announced his arrival with a goal, but his shot across the face of goal flew narrowly wide with Bolat beaten.

Arsenal, who lost Gallas to a head injury at half-time, had eased off in the second half and Standard almost snatched a goal that could have given the home side anxious moments in the closing stages when Cyriac's low drive hit the post.

And the Belgians were reduced to 10 men with four minutes remaining when Carcela-Gonzalez motioned his head towards Fabregas as they clashed and was rightly sent off by referee Konrad Lautz.

There was a concern for Arsenal in the dying seconds when Kieran Gibbs was forced to limp off after making a clearance - but in all other ways it was a satisfactory night for the Gunners.