Wolves 0 Arsenal 3:ARSENAL STRENGTHENED their grip on a Champions League spot as early goals from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott put them on the way to a comfortable win over 10-man Wolves at Molineux.

Yossi Benayoun netted the third after the break and the Gunners are now five points clear of fourth-placed Spurs with five games left. In contrast, bottom side Wolves moved a step closer to relegation after a seventh successive defeat.

The two early goals and Bassong’s departure effectively killed the game as a contest, although the home side could not be faulted for effort with Kevin Doyle impressing as the lone striker.

After eight minutes Van Persie put Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot as Wolves were reduced to 10 men. Sebastien Bassong was adjudged to have brought down Walcott as he raced onto Benayoun’s pass and was sent off by referee Neil Swarbrick. Van Persie stepped up and coolly dinked the ball down the middle.

Wolves made an instant substitution with centre-back Christophe Berra replacing midfielder David Davis as they reverted to a 4-4-1 system.

However, they could not handle the pace of Theo Walcott and he doubled Arsenal’s lead after 10 minutes after exchanging passes with Van Persie.

Wolves showed plenty of fight however and a superb save from Wojciech Szczesny denied Doyle.

However, Benayoun ended the mini revival by making it 3-0 after 68 minutes. Milijas lost the ball in midfield and Song teed up Benayoun 20 yards out to beat Hennessey with a low drive.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Hennessey, Zubar, Stearman, Bassong, Ward, Kightly, Henry, Davis (Berra 10), Jarvis, Edwards (Milijas 53), Doyle (Fletcher 78). Subs Not Used: De Vries, Ebanks-Blake, Johnson, Forde. Sent Off: Bassong (8). Booked: Doyle, Zubar, Kightly.

ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna (Jenkinson 84), Djourou, Vermaelen, Andre Santos, Arteta, Song, Walcott (Oxlade-Chamberlain 76), Ramsey, Benayoun,van Persie. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Rosicky, Park, Squillaci, Chamakh.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).