Arsenal cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Standard Liege after goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson.

Needing a point against the Belgians to win Group H with a match to spare, Nasri opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium while team-mate Andrey Arshavin was off the pitch getting treatment to his cut head.

Denilson, returning after two months out with a back problem and making his 100th appearance for the club, smashed in a curling effort that deceived goalkeeper Sinan Bolat and ensured Arsene Wenger reached the last 16 of the competition for the 10th season in a row.

The visitors had Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez dismissed for clashing with Cesc Fabregas at the death.

The best early chance came as Arsenal somehow failed to put the ball in the net during a goalmouth scramble following a corner.

First, Arshavin's header was saved by Bolat, with Mexico teenager Carlos Vela, deployed as the central striker, lashing the rebound against the post. The Standard keeper then twice denied William Gallas' follow-up before Thomas Vermaelen drilled his shot towards the top corner - only for the ball to cannon off Arshavin on the goalline.

The travelling Standard fans had seen little to cheer about during the opening 20 minutes, but were almost celebrating when Congo striker Dieudonne Mbokani rattled the angle after cutting inside from the edge of the Arsenal area.

Arsenal took the lead on 35 minutes. Vermaelen's long ball forwards was missed by Landry Mulemo after the defender slipped on the edge of the penalty area, which allowed Nasri in, and he made no mistake, lashing a half-volley past Bolat.

There was, on 39 minutes, an almighty let-off for Arsenal when Gallas clearly bundled over Reginal Goreux as he dashed into the penalty area - but the referee waved play on.

In first-half stoppage time, Denilson - just returning from a back injury - crashed home a second goal from 30 yards, the ball swerving through the air as it flew over Bolat to give the young Brazilian something to remember in his 100th Arsenal appearance.