Arsenal cruised to an easy 3-0 win at Sunderland yesterday.
The Black Cats had the better of the opening exchanges, but fell behind when Danny Collins headed into his own net.
Cesc Fabregas' clipped finish made it 2-0 and Thierry Henry added a third with a neat free-kick before half-time.
Thereafter, Kevin Kyle twice failed to make the most of good chances, while Ashley Cole's second-half appearance rounded off a good day for the Gunners.
Left-back Cole, missing since sustaining an ankle injury in February, came on as a 66th-minute substitute to complete a decent day's work, although manager Arsene Wenger was clearly worried after a two-footed lunge by Dan Smith ended Diaby's match in the dying minutes.
Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball said afterwards: "In my opinion, I felt Dan Smith did go for the ball and the lad knocked it away and he accidentally caught him.
"Yes, it isn't an injury you want to see happen to a player.
"But he went for the ball and the player passed it quicker than Dan could get there."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also said: "We know that Thierry can do these things, he does it so often for us.
"He took his goal well and set up the other two. That's the thing about him, he can score and provide.
"We want to make the maximum points and see how far it takes us now."
Cesc Fabregas' clipped finish made it 2-0 and Thierry Henry added a third with a neat free-kick before half-time.
Thereafter, Kevin Kyle twice failed to make the most of good chances, while Ashley Cole's second-half appearance rounded off a good day for the Gunners.
Left-back Cole, missing since sustaining an ankle injury in February, came on as a 66th-minute substitute to complete a decent day's work, although manager Arsene Wenger was clearly worried after a two-footed lunge by Dan Smith ended Diaby's match in the dying minutes.
Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball said afterwards: "In my opinion, I felt Dan Smith did go for the ball and the lad knocked it away and he accidentally caught him.
"Yes, it isn't an injury you want to see happen to a player.
"But he went for the ball and the player passed it quicker than Dan could get there."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also said: "We know that Thierry can do these things, he does it so often for us.
"He took his goal well and set up the other two. That's the thing about him, he can score and provide.
"We want to make the maximum points and see how far it takes us now."
