Arsenal secured their place in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League for an impressive seventh consecutive season thanks to goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson.

In reality it was a contest that the North Londoners rarely looked in any danger of losing and the victory meant top spot in Group H with one more game to go.

It’s a result that sees them go six points clear of Greek Champions Olympiakos after their goalless draw against AZ Alkmaar.

Both goals were scored inside the first forty-five minutes to stop Liege in their tracks and forget any hope of causing an upset. A slip by Liege defender Landry Mulemo allowed Nasri to slip in for the opening goal after 35 minutes and Denilson fired home a wicked 30 yarder at the end of the first half.

Nasri and Fabregas were outstanding in the centre orchestrating Arsenal’s play from the very beginning as Arsenal took complete control of the game.

Fabregas was picked out by Nasri after only five minutes but his effort was saved by Standard goalkeeper Sinan Bolat, while Felipe was forced to make a block as Carlos Vela closed in on goal.

Standard had been second best by some distance, but they wasted a chance to give themselves hope six minutes after the break when Axel Witsel could only turn a tame effort into the arms of Almunia from six yards after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.

The score could have been much higher if it was n’t for some lax play by the Gunners. None more so than when Arshavin saved from Vermaelen during a goal mouth scramble.

The hosts were almost in cruise control and Wenger gave England starlet a chance to get in on the action for the last thirty minutes coming on for the superb Nasri.

Walcott almost made it three himself, with a shot that had Bolat beaten before Cyric hit the post for the Belgians to wake the English team up.

Standard did offer some resistance themselves and twice hit the woodwork through Dieudonne Mbokani and Gohi Bi Cyriac once in each half.

The Belgian’s disappointment was compounded in the closing stages as Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez saw red for a needless altercation with Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas.

The downside on the night were the injuries to Gallas and Gibbs both of whom had to leave the field of play with Arsene Wenger very concerned.