Eboue who was having a superb attack game from right back spotted a forward run from Cesc Fabregas and his pass was inch perfect, it allowed Cesc to waltz around Jones and slot into an open net from a tighish angle

Arsenal needed a victory without breaking a sweat, without getting key personnel injured and giving some members of the squad match fitness.

A big chunk of that criteria was met by 3.30pm yesterday afternoon.

The only possible black mark on the afternoon was a supposed half time withdrawal of Mikael Silvestre through injury. The skeptic in me whispers in my ear that it could be a kind way of removing Silvestre from first team duty and giving a returning injured player 45 minutes to sharpen up before Manchester United on Wednesday.

Arsene rotated his team around but not quite as much as many other managers could have done before the most important game of our season so far. I must say I would have rested many of the starters that took to the field yesterday.

Captain Cesc Fabregas continued in the side with Theo Walcott replacing Alex Song in the starting line up, no doubt sir Alex Song is being rested ahead of Wednesday’s clash such is his rising importance to this Arsenal side.

Arsene sprang a tactical change that would have fooled 99% of supporters, pundits and perhaps even the players themselves with Cesc Fabregas playing just off Bendtner whilst Samir Nasri who would usually operate in that position was slotted into central midfield alongside Denilson.

It makes you wonder why Wenger didn’t fancy starting him in that position during our run of goalless draws. Perhaps Arsene has seen a defensive improvement from Nasri on the training ground.

Manuel Almunia was back to give calm to his teammates after Fabianski’s up and down time in between the Gunners sticks.

Eboue replaced Sagna who was suffering from a virus last week and Bendtner continued ahead of Adebayor who was also amongst the substitutes on the Arsenal bench.

Arsenal started crisply and sharply passing quickly in the North London sunshine. It took Dennis Fabregas only 7 minutes to create the first opening when he collected the ball just inside the half way line looked up and played a lovely through pass for Theo Walcott to run onto, Bendtner was screaming for it unmarked in the middle of the goal, but by the time Theo looked up, then back down at the ball again he was closed down and his cross was blocked by Robert Huth.

It was heart in the mouth stuff a few minutes later when Cesc was clattered into by Stewart Downing. All he needed was a little bit of treatment and he was back on the pitch, much to the relief of the Gooner faithful.

Andrey Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas were dictating the game inside the Boro half. We know that they are two intelligent creative players, and it should be no surprised to see them already having a great understanding.

Those two players were at the very heart of the opening goal in the 26th minute of the first half. Arshavin scuffed a pass into Bendtner who magnificently produced a back flick to Cesc on the half way line, Cesc’s first time pass in between the center halves released the scampering Arshavin on the left, Arshavin cut inside and laid it back to Cesc on the edge of the penalty area who’s slid shot flew inside Brad Jones’ goal.

A wonderful example of pass and move football at its best. Arshavin can include yet another assist to his name. Every time he plays he appears to be at the heart of most goals that are scored for Arsenal.

Emmanuel Eboue and Theo Walcott continued their very positive attacking partnership down the right, both taking turns to penetrate the Middlesbrough defence.

Boro who were not looking much of an attacking threat should have been given the chance to level after Nicklas Bendtner leaned into a corner with his arm in front of the referee who decided it was play on. Had that have been at the opposite end, I would have expected an Arsenal penalty.

Three minutes later Arsenal were once again toying with Middlesbrough with some scintillating stuff. Cesc and Nasri switched positions and a Cesc – Arshavin – Nasri – Arshavin – Nasri – Walcott move ended up with Theo dragging a shot wide of the far post when he should have played it across for Bendtner who could have once again tapped in from 6 yards. Bendtner looked disappointed and had every right to be. It is something that Theo will have to correct as he matures.

Arsenal had one more crack on Boro’s goal before half time, another wave of great short one touch passing ended up with Theo taking a left footed scuffed shot as Arshavin got in his way.

Almunia hadn’t been tested so far in the game and they say a top class keeper gets paid for producing the goods when he has had nothing to do. Stewart Downing drilled a low shot towards the corner of our goal and the Spanglish one outstretched flew down to his left and held on. Just that one save made me feel so much more confident about our defending so hopefully Almunia has given that same feeling to his defenders.

So at half time Arsene made a change to the defence. Silvestre went off and Johan Djourou came on for his first slice of football since his collapse at Wigan a few weeks ago.

Middlesbrough had their best chance of the game 5 minutes after the restart. Former Arsenal striker Jérémie Aliadière has already struck twice against us in the past was put through on Almunia’s goal from an angle but Almunia rushed out to him and narrowed down his angles, his shot was blocked by the Arsenal number 1.

Only a minute later great combination play between Cesc and Eboue saw the latter flash in a cross that found the side foot of Walcott but Brad Jones managed to get behind it and the danger was cleared.

Arshavin was causing problems to Boro whenever he was on the ball, his link up with Cesc, Denilson and Nasri was unlocking the Boro defence time after time.

Cesc had another effort dealt with by Jones after the hour, and king had a side footed effort saved by Almunia before that,

The contest was all over on 67, when Eboue who was having a superb attack game from right back spotted a forward run from Cesc Fabregas and his pass was inch perfect, it allowed Cesc to waltz around Jones and slot into an open net from a tighish angle. Wonderful pass from Eboue, cool finish from Cesc.

Adebayor and Diaby came on for Walcott and Cesc Fabregas in order to rest some and sharpen others.

A Nasri, Bendtner, Arshavin and Diaby had chances that could have seen more goals in the late stages but it didn’t come and didn’t need to come. It was an ideal run out for the squad before Wednesday, some lovely football, increase in confidence and maybe more importantly a clean sheet.

Alex Ferguson was watching from the stands and he will know that he has a game on his hands come Wednesday night.

Top Gun of the day could and perhaps should go to the Captain who scored the goals but his side kick Andrey Arshavin was all over the pitch spraying fantastic passes and battling back to help the back four. He showed he was human by missing a few chances but his overall game was much better than in his previous performance where everything he touched went in.

Special mention to Emmanuel Eboue who was superb at right back, pushed the opposition winger back and created Cesc’s second with a fantastic pass.

20 league games unbeaten, great preparation for Manchester United on Wednesday night.