Two goals from Cesc Fabregas gave Arsenal a routine 2-0 victory over precariously placed Middlesbrough Sunday to extend their unbeaten sequence in the Premier League to 20.
Captain Fabregas and his team mates were in a different class to Boro as they closed the gap on third-placed Chelsea to six points with four games remaining although they are 12 points behind leaders Manchester United.
While the title is long out of sight, the in-form Gunners are now virtually assured a top-four finish and Champions Lesague football next season.
Boro's 10th consecutive away defeat in the league left them third from bottom in the table, three points worse off than Hull City who are just above the drop zone.
Arsenal, who face Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Old Trafford Wednesday, had only two moments of concern, one when former striker Jeremie Aliadiere nearly equalised and the other when defender Mikael Silvestre was withdrawn with a knock.
Aliadiere went through on goal in Boro's best chance of the match but his shot was saved by the heel of Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal led from the 26th minute when Fabregas released Andrei Arshavin and then swept in the Russian's cut back from inside the penalty area, although Boro complained that Nicklas Bendtner was in an offside position.
Boro showed more urgency after the break but were killed off after 67 minutes when Fabregas took the ball around out-rushing goalkeeper Brad Jones and slid his shot into an empty net to treble his goal tally for the season.
Arsenal have not conceded a league goal at home for eight matches, equalling a club record.
Manchester United lead the table from Liverpool by three points with an extra game to play after coming from two goals behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2 Saturday.
