Gibbs gets Gunners firing

Arsenal strengthened their grip on third place in the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners made it seven straight league wins to make the most of Tottenham's goalless draw at Chelsea with first half goals from Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott.

Villa rarely threatened with Mikel Arteta cracking in a fine free-kick in stoppage time as Arsenal coasted to victory, putting them three points ahead of Spurs, with fifth-placed Chelsea now eight behind in the race for guaranteed Champions League football next season.

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