Arsenal 4 Charlton Athletic 0

CHARLTON suffered a first defeat under new manager Alan Pardew as they were torn-apart by a Thierry Henry-inspired Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Arsenal skipper, making his first appearance following a seven-match absence, showed the rest had done him good as he produced glimpses of his best form.

The match turned in The Gunners' favour in the 29th minute when Charlton defender Osei Sankofa was ordered off for a needless professional foul on Robin Van Persie.

Henry converted the resulting penalty. Only the brillance of goalkeeper Scott Carson kept Charlton in contention until first half stoppage time when Justin Hoyte added a second.

Charlton fell further behind in the 75th minute when Souleymane Diawara sent Henry tumbling and Van Persie scored from the spot.

With 46 seconds remaining, Arsenal substitute Mathieu Flamini played in Van Persie who finished in style.

Pardew, who shook hands with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the final whistle to signal an end to their recent spat, was critical of Van Persie following the first goal.

"I thought he was offside and went down far too easily," he said.

Charlton: Carson, Sankofa, El Karkouri, Diawara, Traore, Rommedahl, Faye (Kishishev 77), Holland, Hughes (Fortune 32), Ambrose (Thomas 63), M Bent.
Subs not used: Myhre, Hasselbaink.
Attendance: 60,057.

* Keep up to date with all the news from The Valley every week in the Bexley Extra.