Arsenal in cruise control as Shakhtar thrashed

Arsenal took a giant stride towards the knockout phase of the Champions League here Tuesday, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 to take firm control of their qualifying group.

First-half goals from Alex Song and Samir Nasri followed by second-half efforts from Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Marouane Chamakh sealed the win for Arsenal, who maintained their 100 percent record at the top of Group H.

The home fans could even derive pleasure from Shakhtar’s lone consolation goal — scored by Arsenal old boy Eduardo in the dying minutes, returning to the Emirates after his summer transfer to the Ukrainian champions.

Arsene Wenger’s men now have nine points from three matches, three clear of second-placed Shakhtar, who have six points, and have racked up 14 goals in three games — a Champions League record.

Wenger however refused to get carried away about his free-scoring team’s form so far this year.

“We’re a team with great potential and we showed that tonight,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “Let’s take it game by game.”

But the Arsenal boss was purring with pleasure after another assured performance in midfield from 18-year-old Wilshere, who rounded off a fine display with a second-half goal.

“His maturity is miles ahead of his age and that’s a sign of his talent,” Wenger enthused.

Earlier, a dreadful blunder from Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov had put Arsenal on the road to victory after 19 minutes, the visitors shotstopper fumbling a corner on the edge of the six-yard area.

Johan Djourou, following up, managed to stab the ball past Pyatov and Song fortuitously scrambled it over the line after Olexander Kuchr’s despairing block had ricocheted back off the Arsenal midfielder.

Moments later Nasri had a glorious opportunity to double Arsenal’s lead, but saw his volley from a Chamakh knockdown well saved by Pyatov from eight yards.

Their tails up, Arsenal began to attack with more purpose and appealed for a penalty on 27 minutes when Tomas Rosicky went over in the area after a rugged challenge by Razvan Rat.

Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen waved away Arsenal appeals for the spot-kick however despite howls of protest from the crowd.

With Arsenal dominating possession it seemed only a matter of time before the Gunners extended their lead and three minutes before half-time their pressure was duly rewarded.

Emmanuel Eboue and Song combined down the right, with Song whipping in a cross which fell invitingly to Nasri.

The French international’s sublime first touch took him clear of Darijo Srna before he rifled in an unstoppable effort past Kuchr.

Twelve minutes after half-time Arsenal made certain of victory when Shakhtar’s Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano clumsily hauled down Djourou in the area after a Nasri free-kick caused confusion.

Fabregas, playing his first game since returning from an injury sustained against Sunderland last month, duly blasted home the spot-kick.

With victory assured, Wenger substituted Fabregas on 61 minutes to a rousing ovation from the Emirates faithful matched only by the generous applause as Shakhtar brought on Eduardo for Adriano.

As they have done on so many European nights in the past against limited opposition, Arsenal then went for the jugular and were to score twice more as Shakhtar were torn asunder.

Wilshere made it 4-0 on 65 minutes, playing a delightful one-two with Rosicky before dinking a delicate finish over the on-rushing Pyatov.

Four minutes later Chamakh got his name on the scoresheet after being picked out by Nasri. With Shakhtar’s players appealing vainly for off-side, the Moroccan international waltzed into the area to finish past Pyatov.

With the clock winding down, Eduardo then got one of the biggest cheers of the night when he hammered a well-taken volley for Shakhtar on 82 minutes.