The evergreen midfielder opened the scoring after 26 minutes.

A swift counter attack ended with Andrei Arshavin crossing low for the onrushing Fabregas, who made no mistake from inside the area.

The in-form Fabregas scored his second of the night to ensure Arsenal's win seven minutes past the hour mark.

Middlesbrough keeper Brad Jones needlessly rushed out of his goal to allow the 21-year-old to round him and slot into an empty net.

There was no room for Egyptian midfielder Shawky, whose Riverside exit looks imminent.

The out-of-favor man recently said that Newcastle United were interested in signing him.

Arsenal, who face Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, remained fourth in the league table on 65 points.

Boro lie third from bottom with 31 points, three adrift of safety with four matches to go.

Watch Arsenal goals