Arsenal warmed up for their Champions League qualifying tie at Dinamo Zagreb next week with a comfortable 3-0 win against AZ Alkmaar on Friday.Goals from Gilberto, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie saw Arsene Wenger's side complete their pre-season in style.The game officially opened AZ's new DSB Stadion.Deserved leadNeither Thierry Henry nor Jens Lehmann lined up for the Gunners on Friday.And both will be absent again next week through a lack of match fitness and suspension respectively.But Arsene Wenger's side made light of their absence as, having threatened for much of the first half, they took a deserved lead in the 35th minute.Jose Antonio Reyes was the provider, with a looping free-kick to the far post.Gilberto's downward header found its way over the line underneath goalkeeper Joseph Didulica.Just over five minutes into the second half, the Gunners doubled their lead.Sinouh penalisedKhalid Sinouh, on as a half-time substitute for AZ, could do no better than parry Gilberto's scuffed shot into the path of Emmanuel Adebayor.And the Togolese striker slotted the ball into the unguarded net.Two minutes later, Arsenal's Dutch winger Robin Van Persie came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 when his powerfully struck effort ricocheted off both posts, but failed to cross the line.The third would indeed come for Arsenal, however, as with less than 20 minutes remaining, the hapless Sinouh was penalised for bringing down Van Persie in the area - though it must be said that the Dutchman made the most of any contact.Van Persie stepped up himself, and coolly despatched the spot-kick to make it 3-0. (AP)
Arsenal defeat AZ Alkmaar 3-0
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