Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.

The Togo striker - who had been out since February, but scored for his country while on World Cup qualifying duty - nodded in a free-kick from fit-again captain Cesc Fabregas after seven minutes.

Adebayor added another at the start of the second half as City - who were forced into a couple of changes by injury - never really got going.

Arsenal welcomed back captain Cesc Fabregas after three months out with a knee injury for the Barclays Premier League visit of Manchester City.

Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were also in action again following fitness problems of their own.

Leading scorer Robin van Persie was out after picking up a groin injury on international duty, so Russian Andrey Arshavin looked set to be pressed into a more attacking role.

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy recovered from a knee problem to start, while defender Wayne Bridge returned after a hamstring injury.

The Gunners went into the match on an unbeaten league run of 16 matches which had taken them back into the top four.

City, meanwhile, had secured just one away this season, but were the last team to beat Arsene Wenger's men back in late November.

Nigel de Jong tested Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia with a low drive from 20 yards early on.

Arsenal, though, went ahead after seven minutes after they were awarded a free-kick on the right when Robinho bundled over Bacary Sagna.

Fabregas' delivery to the penalty spot was inch perfect for Adebayor, who powered a header back into the bottom corner for his 12th goal of the season.

Arsenal continued to press, Fabregas again the creator with a run to the near post and cross which was cut out by City captain Richard Dunne.

City were forced into a change on 17 minutes when Bridge limped off, to be replaced by Gelson Fernandes.

The visitors were forced back into their own half as Arsenal dominated.

Dunne went into referee Howard Webb's notebook on 21 minutes for going through the back of Denilson.

Defender Kolo Toure charged into the right side of the area, and forced a save from Shay Given at his near post.

City broke away in the 27th minute through Shaun Wright-Phillips.

His run and pass played in Micah Richards, who had charged up field before driving in a low, angled shot which was kept out by the legs of Almunia.

It should have been 1-1 when Wright-Phillips slipped in Fernandes, who was unmarked on the penalty spot.

However, his shot on the turn struck the outside of the post when it really should have nestled in the back of the net.

Walcott was down again on 34 minutes after a clash of knees with Pablo Zabaleta as the pair went for a loose ball.

The England international had just recovered from a knee problem, and was given treatment off the pitch before jogging back on.

Almunia was out quickly to grab the ball at the feet of Bellamy as the Wales striker dashed into the Arsenal penalty area.

In stoppage time, Arshavin played a lovely one-two with Alex Song on the edge of the City box, and his curling shot was pushed away by Given.

Adebayor almost made it 2-0 at the start of the second half, but Nedum Onuoha intercepted.

However, the Togo frontman would not be denied for long.

Again Fabregas was the provider, this time sending a superbly-weighted, angled chip over Dunne into City's penalty area on 49 minutes.

Adebayor gratefully received the ball once more, drawing Given before rolling it into the net.

Song headed over from a corner before Denilson drilled a 25-yard shot wide as Arsenal threatened to run riot.

City, though, refused to lay down.

Zabaleta tested Almunia was still awake with a 20-yard drive, which the Spanish keeper palmed down.

Arsenal were soon back on the offensive, as William Gallas blasted a shot across goal after being picked out by a deep ball into the City area.

Dunne cleared off the line after Walcott had nipped in down the right and drew the keeper.

Perhaps with one eye now on next week's Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Villarreal in mind, Wenger made a change on 70 minutes as Nicklas Bendtner replaced Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboue came on for Walcott.

Fabregas was given a well-deserved rest when he was replaced by Aaron Ramsey - leaving the field to a standing ovation.

Arsenal were in complete control and played out the closing minutes to extend their unbeaten run to 17 league games.