Arsenal 5 Porto 0; agg 6-2: match report

By Henry Winter at Emirates Stadium 645AM GMT 10 March 2010

Hat-trick favourite Nicklas Bendtner eventually showed his guarantee for Arsenal with 3 goals to safeguard their swell to Champions League quarter-finals Photo PA

By the finish of a dispersion of Porto that was both pleasing and brutal, Arsenal supporters were chanting "ole, their thoughts racing subliminally brazen to a European consummate in a Spanish footballing bull-ring called the Bernabeu. After a arrangement as gaseous as this, Arsenal can positively brave to dream.

Of course, stipend contingency be done for the unsatisfactory inlet of the washed up here. Porto are scandalous for journeying as feeble as their bottled exports transport well; the meagre highlights of their fourteen visits to England is dual draws. Of course, some-more estimable threats distortion in wait for for Arsenal in the quarter-finals. But in overturning a first-leg necessity in Europe for the initial time given 1978, Arsenal displayed a liughtness of mood and transformation that gives them genuine idea of success in Europe.

Wenger penetrating to face English side in last eight Debate can Arsenal right afar win the Double? Bendtner backs difference with deeds Arsenal v Porto as it happened Champions League movement Fiorentina 3 Bayern 2; agg 4-4

Against better-balanced, some-more noisy opponents, Arsenal will need their far-reaching players to lane behind more, and their counterclaim to be some-more prudent in attempting interceptions, but Arsene Wengers truth is secure in conflict being the majority appropriate form of defence. For the fans flocking to the Emirates, and neutrals tuning in, Arsenals proceed is a happiness to behold.

Here was Arsenal at their fluid, aggressive best. Here was Arsenal additionally at their majority variety-filled, being rebuilt to take the high highway as well as low towards Portos area. The full range of the hosts accessible weaponry were brought to bear on Heltons goal. Nicklas Bendtner proposed the subjection with dual poachers strikes in the initial half, Samir Nasri afterwards danced by the visitors counterclaim and Emmanuel Eboue raced by it prior to Bendtner finished his initial hat-trick with a low penalty.

What quite gratified Wenger was that Arsenal were clever from behind to front notwithstanding not in the spinal column of William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Robin outpost Persie. From begin to finish, Arsenal were terrific, personification with pace, comprehension and imagination, quite when the round was in the enchanting lean of Andrei Arshavin, a box of fireworks that kept bursting in Portos face.

Arshavin did not measure but his beautiful category was hammered all over this five-goal, five-star performance. The man from St Petersburg had obviously been to the barbers whilst out injured. He resembled a youth rating from the Battleship Potemkin primed for a big night out. He positively enjoyed himself here.

Arshavin might have had a close trim but he ensured Arsenal didnt. He done both first-half goals for Bendtner, Arsenals Dane branch in to Preben Elkjaer for the night to absolve Wengers preference to go on him at centre-forward.

Revealingly, Arsenals physical education instructor let trip that he hoped Bendtner would not turn "too assured after this. Bendtner has not regularly been to everybodys tastes at the Emirates, with a little fans doubt his spasmodic arrogantly-expressed conviction in his own abilities, but he positively delivered here, finishing with all the inventiveness blank in his wicked display opposite Burnley.

His initial came when Arsenal unexpected went Route One. Manuel Almunia, captain for the evening, drilled the round down the centre, utterly slicing out midfield. Arshavin showed genuine strength in the air, redirecting the round to Nasri, whose carry out was instant, his successive pass inspired.

The Frenchman stroked the round down the middle, mouth-watering Arshavin to have a see at Heltons goal.

Portos screw dashed out, not often electing to slip in feet initial on Arshavin. Fucile additionally dived in wildly, knocking the round afar from Helton and Arshavin but opposite to Bendtner, who had expected the probability of the balls attainment quicker than his marker, Rolando. An outstretched leg incited the round in 1-0.

Bentdners new fan bar usually had fifteen mins to reprise an old favourite, "One-nil to the Arsenal, until the No 52 struck again. Porto had usually themselves to blame. Harried by Abou Diaby, Fucile seemed to be ushering the round out for a throw but unexpected motionless to fool around on, gifting receive to Arshavin. Big mistake.

Arshavin could have put the round out, permitting the healing men to lend towards Nasri, who was lying nearby the centre-circle. He played on, embarking on a outstanding leap that Porto simply could not understanding with. He enjoyed a hold of happening when Fuciles unsuccessful interception fell pleasantly behind to him.

Arshavin accelerated, his low centre of sobriety carrying him past Nuno Coelho. As he neared the byeline, Arshavin crossed low and tough to the unmarked Bendtner 2-0.

As Arsenal celebrated, a couple of Porto players half-heartedly appealed for an offside opposite Bendtner but Frank de Bleeckere abandoned their entreaties.

The half was going beautifully for Arsenal and it could have left even some-more sweetly. A glorious square of proceed work in between Nasri and Diaby finished with Arshavin sharpened over.

Bendtner roughly picked up the match-ball prior to half-time but his placed shot was pushed afar by Helton. Bendtner afterwards showed an indisciplined streak, diving in on Fucile and sketch a counsel from De Bleeckere.

Arsenal knew that a Porto idea would force additional time and they withstood a short flurry of vigour after the break. The Colombian Falcao sought to levy himself some-more on an Arsenal back-line containing Sol Campbell, who can probably recollect the Brazilian Falcao. Campbell brought all his experience to bear, fasten Thomas Vermaelen in blotting out Falcao.

Just after the hour-mark, Arsenal struck twice to do afar with any flickering fire of aspiration that might have burnt in Porto hearts. Nasri wriggled in from the right, skipping past Raul Meireles, afterwards Cristian Rodriguez and afterwards Alvaro Pereira prior to outstanding the round past Helton 3-0.

Some artistic particular goals have graced Arsenals shining story and Nasris deserves to be enclosed amongst those specialist strikes.

And there was more, gloriously so. Arshavin modernized irresistibly prior to personification Eboue by the husky ruins of Portos defence. There was still copiousness to do but Eboues gait carried him around Helton and his low finish found the net 4-0.

Theo Walcott afterwards arrived to lower Portos depression, rught afar slicing in from the right and vouchsafing fly with his left foot, his shot catching Alvaro Pereira and deflecting afar for a corner. The England winger kept racing at the visitors, kept worrying them.

So did an additional substitute. Eboue was brought down by Fucile low in to blocking time and Bendtner quietly stroked home the chastisement 5-0.

Arsenal slip on.