Arsenal emerged from a tentative, uncertain first half to dissipate the disappointment of Tuesday's Champions League exit in Valencia and stay on course for another shot at Europe's elite.

Their emphatic second half show demolished Everton at Highbury.

The Merseysiders, still gripped by the icy fear of relegation, looked likely to repeat the unexpected triumph of fellow-strugglers Middlesbrough in north London a week ago after former Gunner Kevin Campbell smuggled home an equaliser within three minutes of Freddie Ljungberg's hard-earned 21st minute Arsenal opener.

But they were simply demolished by an up-tempo, pass-and-move Arsenal performance after the break and were anxiously looking over their shoulders at the fortunes of the bottom-three long before Portugal defender Abel Xavier was sent off for a second bookable offence 10 minutes from time.

Arsenal, 3-1 ahead by then through Gilles Grimandi's towering header from a corner in the 55th minute and Sylvain Wiltord's thunderous shot off the underside of the crossbar 12 minutes later, simply rubbed it in when tireless Thierry Henry waltzed around keeper Paul Gerrard to tap in his 22nd of the season after a wretchedly under-hit back-pass by Alessandro Pistone.

Still missing the guile of the injured Dennis Bergkamp and Ray Parlour's relentless industry, Arsene Wenger's team struggled to break down Everton's dogged, heavily-manned defence in the first 20 minutes and bitter memories of the bizarre 3-0 home flop against Boro a week ago must have been in their minds.

But just when Everton appeared to be gaining belief that they could hold out and, indeed, profit from nimble breakaways, , their rearguard was opened up like a can with a tin-opener.

Precise passes by Pires and Henry rewarded Ljungberg's bright run through the middle and although his left-foot shot was straight at Gerrard the sheer pace confounded the goalkeeper who could only help the ball into the net.

At last the Highbury crowd, numbed by two stunning defeats in a row, found their voices and skipper Tony Adams, as busy in attack as in defence, raised the volume with a header just off target.

But three minutes after the Ljungberg opener, even Adams was not big enough to get his head to a cute chip by Thomas Graveson which found Campbell criminally unattended in the box.

The former Highbury hero hit the advancing Seaman with his first shot as the other Arsenal defenders appealing familiarly for offside, but the rebound ran kindly and Campbell cracked it past Lee Dixon's would-be rescue act on the line.

Instead of launching themselves back at the Everton defence, Arsenal responded to that shock with patience and enterprise but despite the non-stop resolve of Patrick Vieira and Ljungberg and Wiltord's ceaseless probing they could not discover a way through again before the break.

And there was litle doubt that the Merseysiders fully deserved their half-time equality, not only diligent at the back but sharp in midfield and lively up front on the break.

You could sense a new mood of determination about Arsenal as soon as the second half started, though. Wenger is not famous for teacup-throwing tantrums or even harsh words but he must have said something to galvanize his Gunners.

Within 10 minutes of the restart in which a hail of shots and corners rained on the Everton goal, midfielder Grimandi - back in the starting line-up for the first time in a month - rose majestically to thump home a Pires corner.

After that, Arsenal's French polish was just too much for Merseyside grit. Vieira's surging run not only illustrated his commitment to the cause after his outspoken midweek words about the quality the side still needs, but it set up a perfect chance for compatriot Wiltord.

The little striker turned on it in good style and blasted an unstoppable drive over Gerrard and in off the underside of the bar.

Xavier's cynical foul on Henry prevented Arsenal's top scorer adding to the scoreline when he was clean through and Ljungberg and Pires - although impressive wing-raiders - both missed glorious chances.

But once Xavier had gone for a foolish assault on Ashley Cole, Everton were a shambles and Pistone's poor back-pass presented Henry with his deserved reward two minutes before the finish.

Alex Nyarko had already left the scene, grateful to be substituted it seemed, after a fed-up Everton fan ran on to the pitch and contemptuously offered the African his coat.

Teams

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Cole, Pires (Silvinho 76), Grimandi (Vivas 64), Vieira, Ljungberg, Wiltord, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Stepanovs, Manninger, Malz.

Goals: Ljungberg 21, Grimandi 55, Wiltord 67, Henry 87.

Everton: Gerrard, Ball, Weir, Pistone, Xavier, Gemmill, Gravesen, Nyarko (Tal 72), Pembridge (Hibbert 81), Alexandersson (Moore 72), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Jevons.

Sent Off: Xavier (80).

Booked: Xavier, Tal.

Goals: Campbell 24.

Att: 38,029

Ref: D Gallagher (Banbury).