Everton...1 Arsenal...4: This was a demonstration rather than a contest. Arsenal's talent for picking off opponents like flies has not taken long to resurface, while Everton have wasted little time in affirming their credentials for a season of grubbing about for points in the lower reaches. Plus ça change.

Being top of the league does not mean very much at this stage of the season, of course, especially when it is only because they come before Bolton Wanderers in alphabetical order.

But Arsenal will enjoy the view from the summit and if they maintain this level of performance it might not be long before they have disappeared into the distance once again.

Their unbeaten league run now stands at 41 matches and if they extend that sequence at home to Middlesbrough next Sunday they will have equalled the record set by Nottingham Forest from November 1977 to December 1978.

Brian Clough should prepare for bad news because Arsenal were so sumptuous it acted not only as a reminder of their uniqueness in the English game but a statement of their intent.

Here was evidence that Jose Antonio Reyes, having devoted his summer to building up his physique, is equipped to make a telling impact this season, that Thierry Henry will continue to wreak havoc on opposition defences (he set up three of Arsenal's goals) and that Wenger has unearthed another star in the making.

At 17 years, 103 days, Cesc Fabregas was Arsenal's youngest-ever Premiership player. Indefatigable and possessing an assured touch, the best compliment that can be paid to the young Spaniard is Patrick Vieira's absence through injury was not obvious.

His was one of the many illuminating individual displays on a day that must have confirmed the worst suspicions of Everton's supporters. Not every team will be as formidable as Arsenal but there was no mistaking the sense of foreboding that engulfed Goodison, with the first supporters drifting away long before the final whistle.

Everton had begun with the tenacity that is considered mandatory for any side managed by David Moyes but the imbalance of talent was so weighted in Arsenal's favour it swiftly became apparent this would be a galling afternoon for the home side.

The rout began midway through the first half when Arsenal, counter-attacking with fluidity and audacity, broke from inside their own half. Henry's subtle pass sent Reyes scampering clear, brimming with intent. His shot was blocked by Alan Stubbs but Henry was first to the rebound, unselfishly teeing up Dennis Bergkamp to score.

Six minutes before the interval Reyes headed in Freddie Ljungberg's cross and from that point onwards Everton's approach seemed to be geared towards preventing utter humiliation.

In truth, it was out of their hands. Another flowing move culminated with Henry slipping in Ljungberg for Arsenal's third nine minutes after the restart and had it not been for the impressive goalkeeping of Nigel Martyn there might have been even greater damage inflicted on their goal difference.

Some of the more excitable Everton supporters believed the most improbable of comebacks might be on the cards when Thomas Gravesen dinked a pass over Arsenal's defence for Lee Carsley to take the ball round Jens Lehmann and make it 3-1.

Who were they kidding? Deprived of Wayne Rooney, Everton attacked with all the might of a peashooter. Arsenal soaked up the best they could offer then, with seven minutes left, picked them off with ease. Henry's performance deserved a goal but Martyn beat out his shot, Ashley Cole followed in to hit the crossbar and Robert Pires scored at the third attempt.

"We went unbeaten last season and we'll try to do it again this season," Wenger volunteered afterwards. "We're not completely ready yet but we have shown some great qualities."

The Arsenal manager reserved special acclaim for Fabregas. "He is a big talent and he's shown he is ready to play a big part. We will have to protect him - not mentally, because he's a humble guy - but physically because he's still a kid. But the more opponents try to intimidate him the more he wants the ball. It was the best demonstration that age is not important - we had a 35-year-old (Bergkamp) who was outstanding and a 17-year-old who was outstanding."