Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-0 at Emirates Stadium to stretch the home side's unbeaten run to 17 league games.

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 got going.

Arsenal welcomed back captain Cesc Fabregas after three months out while Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor were also in action again following fitness problems of their own. Leading scorer Robin van Persie was out with a groin injury, so Russian Andrey Arshavin was pressed into a more attacking role.

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

It was Arsenal who 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 Richard Dunne. But City were forced into a change on 17 minutes when Bridge limped off, to be replaced by Gelson Fernandes.

The visitors were forced back as Arsenal dominated and Dunne went into referee Howard Webb's notebook on 21 minutes for going through the back of Denilson.

City broke away in the 27th minute through Shaun Wright-Phillips. His run and pass played in Micah Richards whose low, angled shot was kept out by the legs of Almunia.

It should have been 1-1 when Wright-Phillips slipped in Fernandes, who was unmarked but his shot on the turn struck the outside of the post when he really should have scored.

Toure was cautioned for a tackle on Robinho before City were forced into another change, with seven minutes to go to half-time, as Elano replaced Kompany.

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 home.

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

With one eye on the 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.

Robinho was jeered off by sections of the crowd as Daniel Sturridge came on for the final 14 minutes. 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.