Arsenal kept their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive by condemning relegated Sunderland to another unwanted entry into the record books.

First-half goals from Black Cats defender Danny Collins, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry secured the points, and although Jens Lehmann had to pull off a magnificent save to deny Kevin Kyle eight minutes after the break, substitute Robin van Persie should have increased the margin of victory late on.

Another 90 minutes for Sol Campbell - although not his most impressive - and a substitute's appearance for Ashley Cole added to the satisfaction for Arsene Wenger.

But with potential buyer Niall Quinn sitting in the stands at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were left without a home win in the Barclays Premiership all season with just one game to play.

Perhaps even more depressingly, they now know that even victories over Fulham on Thursday and at Aston Villa on Sunday would leave them with only 18 points, one fewer than the current all-time low they already own.

On the day they were confirmed as the least successful team in Premiership history, the home fans arrived in hope rather than sorrow.

The reason for that optimism was the presence of former striker Quinn at the Stadium of Light.

However, the Irishman was left in little doubt over the task which faces he and his partners should their bid be successful as his former club rubbed salt into an already gaping wound.

Sunderland started rather well with striker Kyle causing problems for England defender Campbell and Kolo Toure, and Arsenal were far from at their best despite fielding six of the men who started the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal in midweek.

The Scot rifled a long-range effort wide and twice ruffled Lehmann's feathers in aerial challenges.

However, the gulf in class between the two sides was made abundantly clear inside 15 first-half minutes.

There was a touch of fortune about the Gunners' opening goal, Collins heading into his own net on 28 minutes as he tried to prevent Abou Diaby connecting with Henry's inviting free-kick.

But there was something clinical about their second five minutes before the break as Henry tore through the Black Cats' defence to feed Fabregas, and he applied the finish with the minimum of fuss.

Sunderland 'keeper Kelvin Davis has not enjoyed the most impressive season in his first on Wearside, and he was left red-faced once again three minutes later when Henry curled a free-kick over the defensive wall to beat him at his near post.

The game was effectively over by the time the sides left the pitch at half-time with caretaker boss Kevin Ball knowing only a huge improvement would prevent his side slipping to a heavy defeat.

Worryingly, there was a suspicion the visitors had never even moved into second gear.

Lehmann was forced into a save, although with few concerns, on 47 minutes when Kyle connected well with George McCartney's left-wing cross, and Campbell was forced to concede a corner as Dean Whitehead homed in on Daryl Murphy's cross three minutes later.

But Sunderland's afternoon - and in some respects, their season - was summed up on 53 minutes.

Campbell slipped and fell as he chased down a loose ball and substitute Anthony le Tallec looked up before picking out Kyle in the middle with the perfect cross.

The Scottish international rose to power a header towards the top corner, but Lehmann instinctively threw out a hand to pull off a superb save and deny the home side a crumb of comfort.

Le Tallec should have done better after being played in by McCartney on 58 minutes, but lifted his shot high over the bar.

However, the home fans at least had something to cheer, and as Quinn's name echoed around the Stadium of Light, their side was responding.

But it might have been 4-0 on 69 minutes when Henry picked up possession on halfway and carved his way towards goal before seeing Gary Breen block his shot.

The Frenchman managed to pick up the rebound and fired in another effort towards the near post, where Davis finally enjoyed a little luck, guiding the ball on to the post before gratefully claiming the rebound.

Henry departed for Dennis Bergkamp three minutes later and received a standing ovation from all four stands as a crowd of 44,003 rose to acclaim a master of his trade.

With Ashley Cole and Robin van Persie having earlier been introduced as substitutes, Arsenal were easing their way towards the whistle, and the Dutchman should have increased their lead 11 minutes from time, but dragged his effort wide.

Teams

Sunderland Davis, Nosworthy, Breen, Danny Collins, McCartney,Stead (Le Tallec 33), Whitehead, Miller (Leadbitter 82),Daryl Murphy (Smith 62), Brown, Kyle.

Subs Not Used: Caldwell, Alnwick.

Booked: Kyle, McCartney, Smith.

Arsenal Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Clichy, Fabregas,Diaby, Song Billong, Pires (Cole 65), Henry (Bergkamp 72),Adebayor (Van Persie 65).

Subs Not Used: Poom, Djourou.

Goals: Danny Collins 29 og, Fabregas 40, Henry 43.

Att: 44,003

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).