The Gunners - who were already leading 2-0 from the first leg in Holland - impressed from kick-off and it was no surprise when they went ahead through French midfielder Samir Nasri after 27 minutes.

Captain William Gallas added another at the start of the second half, before England hopeful Theo Walcott got the goal his all-action display merited and Nicklas Bendtner tapped in late on to make it a miserable return home for former national-team head coach McClaren, who must now make do with the UEFA Cup.

For Arsenal, though, an estimated £25million jackpot awaits following qualification to Europe's elite club competition for an 11th straight campaign.

More sterner tests will, you suspect, lie ahead between now and the chance of a glory night in Rome come May - but at least Arsene Wenger can sleep a little easier with mission accomplished and the campaign back on course.

Given there was so much at stake to make it safely into tomorrow's draw, Wenger had warned against any complacency in their lead or lack of focus - and demanded a response following defeat at Fulham on Saturday.

It certainly was a controlled start by the hosts, who forced the first corner after five minutes following a brave run by Walcott down the right.

The delivery from Robin van Persie flew across the six-yard box, but no-one was able to get a touch.

Denilson gave the ball away carelessly on the edge of the Arsenal penalty, but was fortunate Theo Janssen drove his low shot wide.

Twente defender Cheick Tiote fouled Bendtner 20 yards out, conceding a free-kick in a dangerous, central position.

Van Persie struck it well, but his effort was too straight and Nicolay Mihaylov collected comfortably.

Arsenal continued to dominate and it seemed only a matter of time before their aggregate lead was extended to wrap up the tie.

Nasri did well to stay on his feet and nip in down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of van Persie - only for the Dutchman to blaze his effort high over the crossbar.

The goal eventually came after 27 minutes.

Walcott broke down the right once more, and pulled the ball back to the far side of the box where van Persie stretched to prod it into the path of Nasri.

The £12million Frenchman weaved past his marker before sending in a low shot, which took a slight defection as it rolled into the net.

It was no more than the hosts deserved, with McClaren's men having been pressed onto the back foot from kick-off as the Gunners marched towards the Champions League proper again.

Arsenal now looked back to their free-flowing best - and Denilson should have added a second when another slick passing move released the Brazilian into the right side of the Twente box, but his low shot was blocked by the legs of Mihaylov.

The Gunners contrived to miss a string of further golden opportunities before the break - van Persie somehow curling a sitter wide from 10 yards after Walcott had again broken down the right.

Nasri - who missed the first leg a fortnight ago because of injury - was given a rest at the restart, replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

The hosts continued their aggressive approach and doubled their advantage after 52 minutes.

The ball dropped to Bendtner on the left side of the penalty area and he cut inside before firing in a low shot, which the Twente keeper could only push back into the path of captain Gallas - who slotted home from close range, just as he had done in the first leg.

With the contest now over, it just seemed a matter of how many Arsenal would score to further embarrass the former England boss, who had entered this tie hoping to prove a point or two.

To their credit, Twente - playing with three frontmen - continued to push forward, but that left them vulnerable on the break. Wenger made more changes as the match entered the final 25 minutes with Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor replacing van Persie.

It was 3-0 soon after when Walcott scampered clear and produced a cool finish into the bottom right corner to get the goal his performance merited.

With the job now done there was no point in taking any risks and so Cesc Fabregas - in his first appearance of the season after a hamstring injury - came off for Alex Song - the Cameroon man just back from the Olympics.

Bendtner added a tap-in with a minute left, but for McClaren, the final whistle could not come soon enough.