London: Arsenal finally found their killer instinct to effectively end woeful Liverpool's title hopes with a 3-0 win on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger's side have shown an acute lack of ruthlessness this season but they cruised to victory at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Mathieu Flamini, Kolo Toure and William Gallas.

After several weeks bemoaning their team's poor finishing, Arsenal fans were able to hail three unlikely heroes as Flamini and Toure, who began the day without a goal between them this season, scored either side of half time before centre-back Gallas added a late third.

Liverpool had arrived in north London on the back of five consecutive wins but this lacklustre display, reminiscent of their surrender against Manchester United last month, condemned them to a fifth consecutive away league defeat.

Rafa Benitez's side are now 14 points behind leaders United and, with just one away league goal this season, it is unlikely they will end their 17-year wait to win the title.

Victory was a massive relief for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after a torrid week in which he had gone into hiding after his touchline row with West Ham counterpart Alan Pardew last Sunday.

The Gunners move into third place in the table with this win but are still ten points behind United themselves.
Arsenal's failure to apply the finishing touch to their dazzling approach play has been well documented and at times Wenger must have wished his side would show more of a win-at-all-costs mentality.

But Robin van Persie was guilty taking that maxim too far with a cynical piece of deception in the second minute as he tried to give Arsenal the perfect start.

Cesc Fabregas lifted a sublime pass over the visitors' defence to send van Persie through on goal, but Jose Reina rushed out to meet him and the Dutch striker punched the ball past the Liverpool goalkeeper before rolling his shot into the empty net.

However referee Mark Clattenburg had spotted the offence and quickly brandished a yellow card to halt van Persie's premature celebrations.

Peter Crouch had the ball in the net for Liverpool moments later but he was well offside as he received Xabi Alonzo's pass and the goal was rightly disallowed.

At their best Wenger's side are capable of bewitching play that can overcome even the most resolute defence and, after labouring for much of the first half, they finally clicked into gear in the 41st minute.

Alexander Hleb surged in from the right wing and slipped a reverse pass to Fabregas, who cut the ball back for Flamini, taking advantage of a borderline offside decision, to mark his first league start this season with a close range finish.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was once again stuck out on the right wing despite the absence of injured midfielder Momo Sissoko and he responded with a subdued display that was perfectly summed up by a woefully miscued shot early in the second half.

Arsenal could only be heartened to see one of Liverpool's main threats so marginalized and they took full advantage in the 54th minute.

Fabregas and Henry combined to feed van Persie but when he momentarily lost control it appeared the danger had passed.

But Liverpool's ponderous defence allowed van Persie time to recover and slide a simple pass to Toure. The centre-back cantered past Sami Hyypia and rolled his shot under Reina for his first goal of the season.

Liverpool wasted a chance to hit back immediately when Boudewijn Zenden, unmarked just six yards out, headed over from Gerrard's free-kick.

Gallas completed a miserable day for Liverpool, who finished with Gerrard arguing with John Arne Riise, when he punished terrible marking to head home Fabregas's free-kick in the 79th minute.