Arsene Wenger's imperious side steamed into an eight-point lead in the title race with a second-gear 2-0 demolition of Charlton at Highbury today.

Arsenal only produced the sublime football of which they are capable on occasions - but that was more than enough to dispose of an Addicks side on the back of a club-record five straight Premiership wins.

The Londoners, well clear of Manchester United and Newcastle, now have to protect their lead for just nine more games before they retain their league crown.

Francis Jeffers and Robert Pires did the damage with close-range first-half strikes, both set up by Thierry Henry.

The Frenchman, who had already hit the post, squared for Jeffers to slide home in the 26th minute.

Henry, who escaped with a booking after a silly kick at Scott Parker, broke down the left on the stroke of half-time and centred for Freddie Ljungberg to hit the post, with Pires nodding home the rebound.

Alan Curbishley's men produced several dangerous moments but never really stretched the Gunners defence in the manner achieved again and again by Henry, Jeffers and Pires.

The trio ran the Addicks backline ragged, receiving such effective support from the rest of the midfield that much of the second half resembled a practice match.

Wenger's team have now reached 63 points, ensuring second-place Manchester United will have plenty of food for thought after their Worthington Cup final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium.

Ljungberg had made a surprise return to Arsenal's starting line-up, the Swedish midfielder not expected to play as he has just regained fitness after more than two months out with an Achilles injury.

But the Gunners were without suspended trio Patrick Vieira, Lauren and Ashley Cole - who is also recovering from a hernia operation.

It was a strangely low-key opening from both sides, although that changed when Henry gave away possession and the south Londoners - surprise 4-2 winners at Highbury last season - attacked down the left flank.

Full-back Chris Powell raced forwards, cut inside and squared to Jason Euell, who drilled a 20-yard strike straight at David Seaman.

Visiting skipper Mark Fish had a lucky escape just before the quarter-hour mark.

The centre-back completely misjudged Ray Parlour's hopeful flicked pass, allowing Henry to race in on goal.

But the Frenchman, who has already hit the net 25 times this season, uncharacteristically scuffed his left-foot finish and the ball bobbled into the face of Dean Kiely's right-hand post.

Then only a combination of Kiely and Kevin Lisbie prevented the Gunners firing the opener.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper made a miracle save from Pires' six-yard strike after Henry's clever lay-off. The ball rebounded into space in the six-yard box and Lisbie made a cheeky flicked clearance.

But the home support only had to wait until the 26th minute for the first goal.

Henry strode in from the left wing and slid a lovely pass in behind the Charlton backline for Jeffers to tuck home his fifth and surely easiest goal of the season.

At the other end, Seaman was alert to push Lisbie's instinctive effort round his right-hand upright.

Henry tested the patience of referee Rob Styles in the 32nd minute, first escaping with a booking for kicking Parker and then flooring the same player seconds later in a crunching aerial challenge, for which he was penalised.

Arsenal were well on top now and Parlour drew a solid diving save from Kiely with a swerving 22-yard strike.

Wenger's men bagged number two on the stroke of half-time, thanks to a big slice of luck.

Henry broke down the left and crossed, with the ball deflecting off Chris Powell's heels and into Ljungberg's path. He hit the post from close range and Pires nodded in from a yard.

Three minutes after the break, Seaman was on his toes to scramble across his goal and seize on Claus Jensen's quick free-kick.

Charlton hit back and Fish sent a bullet header into the side-netting from Jensen's corner.

Henry was on fire now and almost set up his third goal of the afternoon on the hour.

He streaked down the left flank and teed up Pires, who shot wide.

Jeffers saw another effort blocked by Fish and Henry thundered just past the far post as Wenger's men began to dominate completely.

Kiely kept the deficit at 2-0 with a brave save from substitute Sylvain Wiltord's close-range strike.

Jeffers amazingly fluffed the opportunity to bag his second, dallying when Edu's half-saved shot trundled goalwards and enabling Luke Young to clear off his goalline.

Teams

Arsenal: Seaman, Toure, Campbell, Keown, van Bronckhorst, Parlour, Ljungberg (Wiltord 64), Edu, Pires (Silva 68), Jeffers, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Cygan, Warmuz, Pennant.

Booked: Henry.

Goals: Jeffers 26, Pires 45.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Kishishev, Fish, Powell (Konchesky 79), Lisbie, Parker (Svensson 88), Jensen, Fortune, Bartlett (Johansson 59), Euell.

Subs Not Used: Roberts, El Khalej.

Att: 38,015

Ref: R Styles (England).