By Ian Hughes Arsenal crushed a weakened Fulham side to ensure they ended the season in third place in the Premier League. The Gunners needed only a point to stay above Tottenham and they easily beat Fulham, who rested players ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final. Andrey Arshavin punished an error by Mark Schwarzer to open the scoring and Robin van Persie slotted in the second. Chris Baird turned Theo Walcott's cross into his own net and Carlos Vela sealed the win with a cheeky dinked chip. It could have been more for Arsenal, who barely needed to hit top gear to secure the result that clinches automatic entry into the Champions League next season. Not that any blame could be laid at Fulham's door after a remarkable season for the Cottagers in which they could still do what Arsenal failed to do and win silverware. Roy Hodgson's side face Atletico Madrid in midweek and it was inevitable key players would be rested ahead of the match in Hamburg. The Fulham boss made eight changes in total, which indicated he was willing to sacrifice the chance to potentially finish ninth in the table, seemingly settling for 12th place - and close to £3 less in prize money. However, should Fulham triumph on Wednesday surely none of that will matter. Arsenal themselves might cast an envious glance Fulham's way after their season fell apart in recent weeks as they exited the Champions League and blew their title chances, making it five seasons without a trophy. The Gunners' campaign would have ended on a very sour note had they relinquished third place to bitter-rivals Tottenham, and from the start they appeared determined not to let that happen. Van Persie quickly brought out the best in Schwarzer, who produced a stunning save to tip away a shot headed for the top corner and Samir Nasri sent a low shot narrowly wide of the post. After Sol Campbell almost got on the end of a Van Persie free-kick and Arshavin tested Schwarzer, it seemed a matter of time before the hosts got the opener. And it came when Schwarzer miscontrolled a backpass, allowing Arshavin to nick the ball, round the Australian and slot in from a tight angle. It was soon 2-0 when Walcott squared for Van Persie, who stroked in after Schwarzer had deflected his first shot on to the bar but was unlucky to see it bounce back to the striker. Aside from the goal, Van Persie's influence was obvious - his creativity, vision and touch were top class - and Arsenal may well reflect on how the season may have turned out had the Dutchman not been injured for most of it. Arsenal got their third when Walcott sent in a low cross from the right, Emmanuel Eboue flicked it on and Baird could only turn the ball into his own net. Walcott should have added another when clean though on goal, but he dragged his shot wide - not the impression he would want to make given that England boss Fabio Capello names his 30-man provisional World Cup squad this week. At the end, Fulham had two chances from rare attacks but Stefano Okaka fell backwards when he tried to get a shot away and Erik Nevland headed over the bar. After the interval the pace dropped, but Arsenal still carved out chances as Fulham sat back. Van Persie was denied by a stunning reaction save from Schwarzer at close range and the striker hit the foot of post from the rebound. Fulham were let off again when Van Persie rifled over after cutting in from the right. But Arsene Wenger's men were not to be denied a fourth goal and it came when substitute Vela latched on to a pass by Nasri and finished with a classy effort. Source: BBC