Dennis Bergkamp scored his first Premiership goal for more than three months to end Arsenal's away-day blues and pile on more misery for Gordon Strachan's relegation-threatened side.

The mercurial Dutchman struck for the first time in the top flight since his goal in the 5-0 win demolition of Manchester City on October 28.

Bergkamp, who recently signed a new two-year contract, settled the issue in the 78th minute with his glancing header past Magnus Hedman following a cross by Sylvain Wiltord.

It was only the Gunners' third success away from Highbury in the Premiership this term and their first since the victory at Middlesbrough in mid-October.

That made it a happy 24 hours for manager Arsene Wenger after the Football Association over-turned his touch-line ban.

But it was rough justice on Coventry who deserved some tangible reward from the game for their battling efforts.

The Sky Blues had been booed off after their last home game - the 3-1 defeat by Everton - when supporters also vented their anger towards Strachan.

But it was a different story this time and there was a massive improvement in their performance which had fully merited a share of the spoils before Bergkamp struck.

Their man of the match was midfielder David Thompson whose contribution on the right flank was always a source of danger to the Gunners.

His terrier-like qualities often mirror how Strachan used to perform for nearly two decades as a player and his ability to take on defenders and cross a decent ball made him Coventry's main threat.

Mustapha Hadji also became more of an influence up-front as the game wore on against an insecure-looking Arsenal defence.

But the home side's failing all season of being unable to convert their chances again, with Craig Bellamy the chief culprit, cost them dear.

The harsh reality is that they have now lost four league games on the trot and relegation from the top flight for the first time in 34 years is looming.

Strachan's side will probably have to win six of their last 12 matches if they are to beat the drop.

For Arsenal Patrick Vieira was impressive in the centre of the park while Robert Pires was always a threat on the left flank.

Coventry caused the Gunners problems from the first whistle and Thompson was only just wide with a glancing header from a Barry Quinn free-kick.

The visitors rearguard looked shaky and Craig Bellamy should have put the Sky Blues ahead in the 13th minute.

The former Norwich player found himself unmarked eight yards out after Eustace had turned the ball into his path but he scuffed his shot and Igors Stepanovs was able to clear off the line.

Little was seen of Wenger's side as an attacking force in the first quarter before Magnus Hedman pulled off two excellent saves - albeit from efforts outside of the penalty area.

First the Swedish keeper tipped over a volley from Pires and then he performed similar heroics to keep out another long range effort from Bergkamp.

It was Coventry who continued to play with more purpose and Eustace should have done better after seizing a left-wing centre.

Bellamy picked out the young midfielder at the near post after rounding Lee Dixon but he volleyed over the bar from 10 yards out.

Arsenal appeared to have strong claims for a penalty five minutes before the interval when Thompson looked to block a header from Pires with his hand after he had latched onto a cross from Patrick Vieira.

The visitors showed more urgency in the early stages of the second period but still struggled to create any worthwhile openings.

Coventry rode this initial storm as Hadji began to have more of an influence on proceedings.

One pass from the Moroccan found Bellamy in space but he lacked the confidence to take the ball forward and his low shot was easily saved by Seaman.

Then Hadji turned the ball into the path of Cedric Roussel but Seaman reacted quickly to clear at the expense of a corner.

But one moment of clinical finishing from Bergkamp made it another pointless Saturday for Coventry and Hedman pulled off another fine save in the closing stages to turn a Wiltord effort around the post.

Teams:

Coventry Hedman, Quinn, Hall, Williams, Shaw, Thompson (Bothroyd 84), Bellamy, Eustace, Carsley, Roussel, Hadji.

Subs Not Used: Chippo, Telfer, Kirkland, Guerrero.

Booked: Eustace, Thompson, Carsley.

Arsenal Seaman, Dixon, Cole, Adams, Stepanovs, Lauren (Grimandi 65), Pires (Vivas 90), Vieira, Parlour, Bergkamp, Wiltord.

Subs Not Used: Manninger, Luzhny, Kanu.

Booked: Adams, Vieira, Parlour, Cole.

Goals: Bergkamp 78.

Att: 22,035

Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).