Arsenal maintained their perfect start to their Champions League Group H campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium.
Alex Song took advantage of a goalkeeping gaffe to hand Arsene Wenger's side the lead on 19 minutes before the impressive Samir Nasri doubled their lead just before the break.
Cesc Fabregas netted from the penalty spot on the hour mark before two goals in the space of three minutes from Jack Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh sank any hope the Ukrainian champions harboured of getting back in the game.
Former Arsenal striker Eduardo made an emotional return to his old stomping ground as a second-half substitute, and the Croatia international fittingly found the net on 82 minutes - although it was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.
Arsenal continue to lead Group H with nine points, a goal difference of plus-12 and 14 goals scored. Shakhtar, meanwhile, remain in second on six points.
Fabregas returned to Arsenal's starting XI for the first time in over four weeks, although Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner, both also returning from injury, had to settle for a place on the bench alongside Andrei Arshavin, who was overlooked in favour of Tomas Rosicky.
Rosicky did enough early on to warrant his inclusion as Arsenal, without really getting out of third gear, found themselves two up at the break largely thanks to some slack defensive work from the visitors.
The opener came gift wrapped by Andriy Pyatov on 19 minutes, the Shakhtar keeper inexplicably dropping Sebastien Squillaci's header from a corner. It fell to Johan Djourou, who prodded goalwards before Song applied the finishing touch, albeit rather fortuitously given his initial effort - a fancy flick - was blocked before rebounding back off him and into the back of the net.
Given their superior possession, Arsenal probably deserved the lead, but Wenger's side showed little of the incisive and at times devastating attacking play that has seen them score nine goals in their previous two outings.
That said, Nasri nearly added a second on 23 minutes, the Frenchman firing on target from Chamakh's knock-down only for Pyatov to rediscover his previously errant handling skills and make the save.
But Nasri was not to be denied, and the midfielder did make it two three minutes before the break, cracking a sizzling shot past Pyatov after Song's deflected cross had reached him in the penalty area. His first touch took him past the flat-footed veteran Dario Srna, who should have done better, before he gave the Gunners a two-goal cushion heading into half-time.
Yet more sloppy defensive work after the break led to a third for Arsenal. This time Luiz Adriano was the culprit, the Brazilian striker manhandling Djourou in the penalty area, despite referee Svein Oddvar Moen having warned him moments before the free-kick was taken to watch his step. Fabregas did the rest from 12 yards out, marking his return to action with a goal.
Eduardo, who left Arsenal for Shakhtar this summer, came on with just over 25 minutes remaining - to a suitably rousing reception - as Shakhtar looked to find a way back into the game, but the Croatia striker initially had little chance to shine as the game was put beyond the visitors with Arsenal's fourth just three minutes after his introduction.
The goal finally marked Arsenal's acceleration into top gear, as Wilshere finished off a typically beautiful Gunners passing move involving Denilson, Chamakh and Fabregas with an impudent chip over the advancing Pyatov. Wilshere gladly lapped up the applause following the criticism he has come in for after his sending off at the weekend.
With Arsenal now motoring at full speed, a fifth was not far away. Chamakh got it, the Morocco international poking past the keeper after he was found in acres of space by Nasri's clever pass through. Shakhtar's defenders looked for an offside flag, but replays proved the referee's assistant was absolutely right not to raise it.
All that was left was for Eduardo to net a late consolation for the visitors on his return to his former club with a fantastic side-footed half-volley which beat Lukasz Fabianski - who had only been called into meaningful action just once before, to deny Adriano soon after the break - hands down.
Despite the late breach, it was nevertheless a good evening for the Arsenal fans, who had the good grace to applaud the Croatian's strike.
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