Arsenal confirmed their safe passage into the last 16 of the Champions League following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Standard Liege at Ashburton Grove.

With a brace of fantastic first-half goals from the returning Samir Nasri and Denilson – both goals came via mistakes from Liege players - ensured the Gunners progressed as Group H winners with one match still remaining, thus giving Wenger a match for nothing to further develop the career of some of the fringe players and vital experience for the latter stages.

Arsene Wenger made five changes to the side that lost at Sunderland in the league on Saturday, but the likes of Cesc Febregas, William Gallas and Andrey Arshavin all started in a strong looking but youthful line-up.

There was no repeat of the horror start which the Gunners endured in Belgium on match-day one when they found themselves two goals down inside five minutes before bouncing back to win 3-2.

Arsenal roared out of the starting blocks and dominated possession with their trademark quick passing and intelligent movement to get the Liege players working from the start.

Carlos Vela rattled the post when he followed up Arshavin's header from a 16th minute corner with a wasteful close-range shot.
However, the Gunners could have found themselves a goal down on 22 minutes when Dieumerci Mbokani clattered the angle of post and crossbar with a hopeful shot which came completely against the run of play.

However, Arsenal finally made the break through on 35 minutes when Landry Mulemo's costly slip let in Nasri, who delicately picked up the loose ball in front of the advancing keeper then in a flash found the back of the net with a composed quality finish into the corner of the net.
That was the cue for Arsenal’s youngsters to turn the screw further, Fabregas and Arshavin both went close despite the latter sporting a nasty head wound following a collision with Gallas which ended his team-mate's involvement at half-time.

Gallas was lucky not to give away a penalty on the stroke of half-time when he bundled Reginal Goreux over in the box only for a lenient referee to wave play on, but in fairness as he had for most of the match.

On the stroke of half time the game was put beyond doubt when Denilson's fantastic long-range strike was misjudged by the flailing Sinan Bolat, probably due to the gale that was blowing  and the goalkeeper was left red-faced as the ball flew into the back of the net to double the advantage.

The second half was effectively a footballing lesson for the Belgian side as Arsenal dominated possession while still playing comfortably within themselves.
Wenger sent on Theo Walcott and Rosicky for some much-needed match practice following their returns from long-term injuries however on a few occasions Walcott was pushed off the ball far to easy and should be looking to get this in order before thinking of heading off to South Africa.

Both Rosicky and Walcott showed neat touches in the final third as Arsenal toyed with their opponents, while Liege offered nothing as an attacking force but their athleticisms and combative qualities were apparent most of the game as they worked very hard to shut down Arsenal and even though the match was effectively over they continued to run for every ball and defend every cross.

Another moment of drama came right at the death when Liege forward Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez became embroiled in a spat with Fabregas after a crude lunge and was sent off for a needless piece of violent conduct when he went head-to-head with the bemused Arsenal captain.

Match Stats