Arsenal secured their place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League with a comfortable win over Standard Liege, whilst AZ Alkmaar played out a goalless draw with Olympiakos in the other game in Group H.

Arsenal needed only a point from the Emirates Stadium clash in order to ensure their progression into the last 16, but easily managed to take all three as Samri Nasri and the returning Denilson got the goals in a 2-0 win over Standard Liege.

With Nasri and the captain fantastic Cesc Fabregas pulling the strings, Arsene Wenger's side were good money for their victory, and had presentable chances to go in front before the Frenchman's opener on the half hour mark.

In one epic goal-mouth scramble, the Belgian champions somehow escaped as the Gunners pummelled five shots towards Sinan Bolat's goal, Fabregas, Carlos Vela (twice), Andrey Arshavin and Thomas Vermaelen all kept out by various means.

The home team's opening goal came in the 35th minute as Nasri capitalised on a slip from Landry Mulemo, dispatching expertly with his right foot past Turkish shot-stopper Bolat.

And the lead was doubled in first-half stoppage-time when Denilson, back in the side after two months on the sidelines through injury, crashed home swerving effort from 35 yards which flew past Bolat.

László Bölöni's side did create chances of their own, with Ivorian striker Gohi Bi Cyriachitting the post either side of the interval, particularly unlucky not to score with a low drive in the second half.

Wenger lost William Gallas and Kieran Gibbs to injuries in the second half, while the Arsenal faithful greeted Theo Walcott's introduction with a rapturous ovation, as the Gunners eased over the finish line.

The visitors finished the game with ten men, as Mehdi Carcela-González was rightly shown a straight red on having motioned as if to he was about to head-butt Fabregas as the two clashed on the touchline.

Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar and Olympiakos were involved in a stalemate at the DSB Stadion, a result which ends the Dutch side's hopes of qualification for the last 16.

Olympiakos need only avoid defeat when they welcome Arsenal to the Karaiskaki Stadium, as the draw moves them three points clear of Standard Liege with only the final round of fixtures remaining.

Ronald Koeman's side needed a win to keep their hopes alive, but were denied the three points after an inspired display by the Greek's veteran keeper Antonios Nikopolidis, and must now hope that they can salvage a place in the Europa League.

All eyes now turn to AZ's trip to Standard's Stade Maurice Dufrasne next Wednesday, where the Belgians must win in order to give themselves a chance of catching Olympiakos, while the Dutch champions will be keen on capturing the Europa League place.