Arsenal boosted by Vermaelen double

Whether it has been Eduardo's diving row or being reunited with Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsene Wenger's men have never been far away from the headlines of late - and they were also beaten in their previous two league matches.

They needed a regulation win and Vermaelen grabbed the limelight with two strikes, while Emmanuel Eboue's deflection accounted for the third and Cesc Fabregas added another.

If Arsenal were desperate for a simple win, their 25th-minute opener was certainly uncomplicated.

Robin van Persie, back after missing the midweek comeback against Standard Liege with a slight knee problem, swung over a corner from the right and Vermaelen thundered the ball home with his head after climbing higher than Titus Bramble and Henry Thomas. It was his second this week after netting in his native Belgium.

Vermaelen's second goal, three minutes after the restart, was a classic strike that a centre-forward would have been proud of. The defender picked up a loose ball and exchanged passes with Eboue before curling his finish around Chris Kirkland and into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The third goal came just before the hour mark. Eduardo struck the post with a volley from Gael Clichy's cross, then Abou Diaby prodded the rebound back in the path of the Croatia forward. Eboue got the telling deflection to divert Eduardo's shot beyond Kirkland.

Alex Song almost added another after a surging run from the halfway line - but his finish hit the outside of the post.

Eboue's cult-hero status with the Arsenal fans was confirmed when he was substituted in the 73rd minute and cheered off as Tomas Rosicky replaced him.

Fabregas, in stoppage time, tapped home Nicklas Bendtner's cross for the fourth.