Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas scored both goals as his side moved closer to a place in next season's Champions League with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The Spaniard finished off a superb move midway through the first half and made sure of the points by rounding the goalkeeper halfway through the second.

The win means fourth-placed Arsenal need just one more victory from their remaining four games to clinch a place in next year's competition.

The Gunners, unbeaten in 20 games, play Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final in this year's Champions League competition on Wednesday.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, remain locked in a relegation dog-fight, stuck third-from-bottom and four points short of safety.

Blackburn Rovers take on Wigan Athletic in the day's late match, reported dpa.