The Russian international put in easily his best display in an Arsenal shirt since his January arrival, making Rovers suffer at the Emirates.

Arshavin probably won't be credited with the opening goal after two minutes, his effort appeared to be heading wide until diverted into his own net by a helpless Andre Ooijer.

But there was no mistaking the scorer of the second when the former Zenit St Petersburg man fired home from a tight angle just past the hour mark.

Morten Gamst Pedersen tested Manuel Almunia on occasions, but it was Paul Robinson who was the busier of the two 'keepers throughout.

Nicklas Bendtner missed a hatful of chances, but late sub Emmanuel Eboue didn't converting two minutes from time after Arshavin's shot was saved, before the Ivorean converted from the spot with a late penalty.

The defeat doesn't hurt Rovers in terms of league placings as they remain 15th in the table, but that goals against column doesn't make good reading once again.

Sam Allardyce made three changes from the side that defeated Fulham on Wednesday night, missing the match against the Gunners was Rovers' captain Ryan Nelsen who picked up a thigh strain in the win at Craven Cottage. His place in the centre of defence was taken by Andre Ooijer, with Danny Simpson coming in at right back.

The other two changes were in midfield with Keith Andrews and Tugay dropping to the bench. Zurab Khizanishvili and Aaron Mokoena making their first league starts under Sam Allardyce.

In a carbon copy of Wednesday evening, Rovers found themselves a goal own after just two minutes. Alex Song beat the Rovers' offside trap down the right, Theo Walcott took over and his near post cross was somehow bundled home. Andrey Arshavin connected when sliding in, but the ball was going wide until it hit the unfortunate Andre Ooijer and rolled into the back of the net.

To make matters worse for Rovers, defender Gaël Givet, who had been a doubt for the game with a knee injury, had to be replaced after just thirteen minutes. David Dunn coming on with Stephen Warnock moving to left back.

El-Hadji Diouf was fortunate to stay on the pitch, when in attempting to close down a kick from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia he caught the Spaniard late on the shin, referee Phil Dowd only showing the Senegal international a yellow card.

Just before the half hour came Rovers' first chance at goal. A long throw from Pedersen into the area was kept alive on the right, Jason Roberts hit the ball back across the area, to where Pedersen rose high to head goalwards, the ball seemed to be heading towards the top corner until Almunia tipped the ball over.

Zurab Khizanishvili and Aaron Mokoena were both carded in quick succession, and from the resulting free-kick Sami Nasri saw his fiercely struck effort crash off the crossbar and away.

Moments later and Bendtner controlled on his chest for Nasri to shoot but Paul Robinson stood strong to block the shot.

But at the other end Rovers had claims for a handball waved away when Dunn crossed from the byline, the ball appeared to strike the arm of Djourou, but Rovers only reward was a corner kick. From the corner Aaron Mokoena fired over the bar.

Manuel Almunia tried to exact revenge on El-Hadji Diouf as Rovers prepared to take a corner kick. The Arsenal stopper elbowed Diouf in the back, then thrust his head towards the Rovers man. Referee Phil Dowd gave the pair a talking to, but no cards were issued.

On the stroke of half time Rovers had their best chance in grabbing an equaliser, Danny Simpson's ball in from the right found Morten Gamst Pedersen through on goal, he controlled the ball on his chest but he couldn't get his shot away as he went to ground.

Arsenal started the second half as if they'd been given a flea in their collective ears at half-time. Seconds after the restart Theo Walcott burst through from the right to shoot past Robinson, but it was well, well, wide. Moments later a similar chance fell to Nicklas Bendtner, but he too fired well wide of goal.

Paul Robinson then made a superb one-handed save to deny Walcott after Chris Samba had blocked Bendtner's shot as the home side continued to threaten.

Matters were made worse for Rovers when Stephen Warnock had to be replaced. The Rovers man, who had the captain's armband, was replaced by Martin Olsson.

Nicklas Bendtner continued to waste chances for the home side, heading wide a cross from the left from Arshavin, then when put through on goal, Paul Robinson stood to block with his legs.

But the impressive Andrey Arshavin didn't waste his opportunity on 66 minutes. Midfielder Denilson spread the ball out to the left to the former Zenit man, but as Danny Simpson backed off Arshavin took full advantage firing the ball high into the roof of the net.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was Rovers' most likely goal threat, but he saw his low free-kick saved by Almunia, but that was a rare chance for the visitors as Arsenal continued to search for more goals.

The hapless Bendtner continued to frustrate in front of goal, blazing over when well placed 11 minutes from time,

But with two minutes to go Arshavin was again the instigator for the Gunners, the Russian saw his effort saved by Robinson, but he was unable to stop substitute Emmanuel Eboue from following in to make it three.

To add insult to injury a fourth was added deep into injury-time when Martin Olsson was adjudged to have fouled Carlos Vela in the area. Eboue stepped up and converted.

The two late goals gave the scoreline a heavy look, but in truth Bendtner missed an equal number of chances. Thankfully results elsewhere went in Rovers' favour.

ARSENAL: Almunia, Sagna, Toure (c), Nasri (sub Eboue 83 mins), Walcott (sub Diaby 80 mins), Denilson, Song, Djourou, Clichy, Arshavin, Bendtner (sub Vela 80 mins).

Subs not used: Fabianski (GK), Gallas, van Persie, Gibbs.

ROVERS: Robinson, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Givet (sub Dunn 13 mins), Khizanishvili (sub McCarthy 66 mins), Mokoena, Warnock (sub Olsson 56 mins), Diouf, Roberts, Pedersen.

Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Tugay, Andrews, Treacy.

Booked: Diouf, Mokoena, Khizanishvili, Ooijer (Rovers)

Attendance: 60,091