A first-half brace of headed goals from Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor had put the Gunners, now unbeaten in 11 games, in control, with Czech winger Tomas Rosicky volleying home a well-worked third late on.

Fulham had started brightly, but lacked bite in attack and remain in deep trouble at the wrong end of the table, and it could well take more than a few more bodies during the transfer window to save Roy Hodgson’s side.

Arsenal, though, continue to look set for a sustained challenge, and trail United on goal difference as the title race looks set for an exciting finale over the next four months.

Fulham who have yet to secure the signing of striker £5million Marlon King from Watford amid reports of a failed medical had pushed American Clint Dempsey forwards at the head of the attack.

And it was a positive start by the hosts.

On five minutes, Korean Seol Ki-Hyeon got inside full-back Gael Clichy down the right, but then stumbled at the vital moment. Eventually Danny Murphy blasted the loose ball wide from 20 yards.

Arsenal were struggling to get a firm hold of the game, but did work the ball around quickly whenever possible.

Cesc Fabregas dragged his shot off target from the edge of the penalty area.

The blustery conditions also did little to help the Gunners’ passing game, but Fulham used the wind to their advantage as they continued to look the sharper going forwards.

However, as the quarter-hour mark past, Arsenal started to find their rhythm and were ahead on 19 minutes.

Clichy broke down the left, before sending over a high cross into the Fulham penalty area.

Togo striker Adebayor got up in between two markers to nod the ball into the bottom right corner for his 14th goal of the campaign.

Arsenal have not lost this season whenever their African frontman has found the net, and were now in command.

After what had been a decent start, Fulham were left shell-shocked by going behind.

The Cottagers tried to regroup, but their attacks were well marshalled by Arsenal captain William Gallas – the former Chelsea defender roundly booed by the home fans at every opportunity.

On 38 minutes, it was 2-0. Mathieu Flamini did well to win the ball back just outside the Fulham box, and stabbed it wide to Alex Hleb on the right.

Hleb set himself before sending over a weighted cross to the centre, where Adebayor was on hand to head in his second goal of the match.

Fulham created their best chance three minutes before the break when Steven Davis got down the left flank and cut the ball back to the edge of the box. Murphy arrived on queue – but his side-foot effort flew just over the bar.

Arsenal started the second half well and brilliant close control from Eduardo saw the Croatian weave into the penalty area from the right touchline.

His cut-back found Rosicky – and the Czech international was unfortunate to see a first-time effort come off the outside of the near post.

Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos – in again for Kolo Toure, away at the African Nations Cup – had to go off for treatment to a blooded nose following a clash in an aerial challenge with Dempsey.

Fulham had yet to muster a shot on target, and the frustrations of the fans were being to get through to the players, who lacked cohesion when trying to build an attack.

On the hour, the hosts made another change when Northern Ireland striker David Healy replaced Seol.

Fulham did then have the ball in the net through Dempsey at the far post – but he was one of three players offside.

Keeper Antti Niemi needed treatment after being accidentally caught with a boot in the face by Adebayor as the striker chased a long ball into the penalty area.

Arsenal almost conjured up a magical third following a fine interchange between the quick-footed Hleb, Rosicky and Fabregas – but the Spaniard’s first-time shot was just wide.

Hodgson made his final throw of the dice on 78 minutes when he sent on striker Shefki Kuqi for Alexei Smertin.

It was game over soon afterwards, though, when Eduardo brook down the left, got to the goal-line and pulled the ball back across the six-yard box – where Rosicky flew in to volley home.