Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas returned from a prolonged spell on the sidelines with brilliant performance to overcome the challenge posed by Manchester City to register their fourth league win in a row.

With Villa not playing until Sunday, Arsenal were keen to exert more pressure on their rivals and in front just eight minutes after the kick off. Fabregas curled in a superb free kick and an unmarked Adebayor was left with a simple header to mark his return from injury with a goal.

City refused to give up and embarked on attacks of their own, nearly pulling level midway through the first half when Shaun Wright-Phillips found Gelson Fernandes with a brilliant cross but the Swiss midfielder saw his effort smash against the post.

Kolo Toure had a great chance to double the lead before half time but Shay Given pulled off an excellent save to deny the Arsenal defender. The match was all but over four minutes into the second half when Fabregas found Adebayor with a superb long ball and the Togo international made no mistake in converting the chance.

City tried to stage a comeback late in the game but were unable to create any chances and instead it was Arsenal who should have had extended the lead only to be let down by some poor finishing as they cruised to a comfortable victory.