Middlesbrough 0 Arsenal 4
Arsenal touched the heights of footballing excellence with a scintillating display as Middlesbrough were humbled at home.
The Gunners were at times breathtaking, passing and moving with an exquisite simplicity which left the home side chasing shadows. Thierry Henry, Gilberto and Sylvain Wiltord put Arsenal 3-0 up before 23 minutes had elapsed before a second goal by Wiltord killed the game off.
Heavens knows what went through the mind of Gaizka Mendieta, the Spanish international midfielder who had been paraded on the Riverside pitch along with fellow loan sign Danny Mills before kick-off, but who had not received FIFA clearance to play.
Sven-Goran Eriksson was also in the stands, no doubt interested to see Sol Campbell playing apparently unhindered by the shoulder injury which had kept him out of the England team in midweek.
Whatever they thought of Boro, both Mendieta and Eriksson would have marvelled at some of Arsenal's play, even though it was Middlesbrough who almost capitalised on some early uncertainty when Szilard Nemeth broke clear and blasted high from a tight angle.
After that early scare Arsenal began to pass the ball about sweetly and scored with their very first chance. Patrick Vieira found Freddie Ljungberg breaking towards goal with an impressive pass. The Swede brought a top-class diving save out of Mark Schwarzer only for Henry to sweep the loose ball into an empty net.
In the 13th minute Arsenal scored again. Ashley Cole began the build-up, feeding Robert Pires down the left and the winger cut inside Stuart Parnaby, paused then delivered an inviting cross for Gilberto to drive home a bouncing volley for his first Premiership goal.
Campbell was only inches away with a header from Pires' corner and then Henry floated an attempted chip into Schwarzer's hands as the Gunners threatened to run away with the match.
Arsenal were not to be denied and the third and best goal came in the 22nd minute after a promising Middlesbrough attack broke down on the edge of the Gunners' box. Malcolm Christie lost possession, Pires snapped up the loose ball and sent Henry racing down the left.
The French striker darted into the box, inviting Gareth Southgate to challenge him and as the defender stood off delivered a peach of a ball which Wiltord just had to guide in to the net.
Arsenal went 4-0 up on the hour mark when Boateng's clearance was intercepted. Ljungberg burst free in the penalty box, advanced on Schwarzer before squaring unselfishly to allow Wiltord an open goal.
Juninho almost grabbed a consolation for Boro, bringing an excellent diving save from Lehmann, who turned the ball aside at full-stretch.
Victory saw Arsenal join Manchester United and Chelsea as the only sides with 100% records in the Barclaycard Premiership. Perhaps the title is already a three-horse race.