Gunners cruise past Twente

12:09am Thursday 28th August 2008

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ARSENAL brushed aside the challenge of Steve McClaren's FC Twente to secure a place in the lucrative group stages of the Champions League with a 4-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners - who were already leading 2-0 from the first leg in Holland - impressed from kick-off and it was no surprise when they went ahead through French midfielder Samir Nasri after 27 minutes.

Captain William Gallas added another at the start of the second half, before England hopeful Theo Walcott got the goal his all-action display merited and Nicklas Bendtner tapped in late on to make it a miserable return home for former national-team head coach McClaren, who must now make do with the UEFA Cup.

The Gunners took the lead in the 27th minute when Walcott broke down the right once more, and pulled the ball back to the far side of the box where Robin an Persie stretched to prod it into the path of Nasri.

The £12million Frenchman weaved past his marker before sending in a low shot, which took a slight defection as it rolled into the net.

The hosts continued their aggressive approach and doubled their advantage after 52 minutes.

The ball dropped to Bendtner on the left side of the penalty area and he cut inside before firing in a low shot, which the Twente keeper could only push back into the path of captain Gallas - who slotted home from close range, just as he had done in the first leg.

With the contest now over, it just seemed a matter of how many Arsenal would score to further embarrass the former England boss, who had entered this tie hoping to prove a point or two.

It was 3-0 soon after when Walcott scampered clear and produced a cool finish into the bottom right corner to get the goal his performance merited.

And Bendtner added a tap-in with a minute left, but for McClaren, the final whistle could not come soon enough.

© Press Association 2008