A barnstorming display from Bendtner, a goal of pure genius from Nasri and an all round controlled performance from the rest of the good guys enabled us to power past Porto and onto the quarter finals.
The tension we were all feeling before this game turned out to be unnecessary as the five goal thriller unfolded in front of our eyes. Porto were pants but just how poor, we were not to know and neither were the team.
In preparation Sol, wearing the glorious red and white again for the first time in ages, went round to each player like a captain in the trenches preparing his troops with fortifying words readying them for the task ahead. The whistle blew and our boys were up and over, no shirkers here; there was no doubting that Sol’s spirit would hold up, the only question was whether his body could but whenever he looked in doubt he had the heart felt support of every Arsenal supporter willing him on.
The pressure was taken off him and the rest of us when Bendtner put us ahead early on. The Great Dane could not have wanted for a more perfect opportunity, not because it was easy but rather that there was no time to let the doubts of Saturday creep in, instinct to finish was all that was required and he did not disappoint. Nasri played a through ball to Arshavin who sprinted towards goal with purpose, their keeper dived at his feet, the ball popped out and Bendtner was at the right place at the right time yet again to slide in and poke the ball home.
The early goal settled our nerves, real belief started to run throughout the team. Song and Diaby were in the middle performing an old Vieira and Petit number and then there was Arshavin out on the wing who one minute was slaloming through the Porto defence as if they weren’t there and the next he was playing a suicide ball across the midfield just ripe for Porto to run onto and score fortunately as we know that didn’t happen but did he look concerned when it happened? No he didn’t, he just shrugged his shoulders.
There was something different about Arshavin’s mannerisms, something I just couldn’t put my finger on and then, after some thought, it dawned on me: he’s gone French, all that Frenchness in the dressing room has rubbed off on him, the Gallic shrug of the shoulders, the look of how could I possibly be wrong on his face — and the absolute genius in the rest of his play: he tortured Porto.
The Russian deserves all the credit for the second goal he went past three defenders as if they weren’t there before firing a low drive across the box for Bendtner to tap in his second. This goal obviously helped but it didn’t put the tie to bed.
Porto came out in the second half knowing that if they didn’t do something they were out and for ten minutes we had to deal with the nail biting question of what happens if they score, this was all made academic when not long after Nasri scored the best goal that has ever been scored in the short history of the Emirates. He weaved his way around most of the Porto defence like an unstoppable spinning top before powering the ball past their keeper, he knew how good that goal was and so did we. This goal was the cue to sit back, relax start roasting crumpets on the open fire and enjoy the show and what a show we still had in store. There was one star fish from Eboue followed by his superbly finished forth in a way that Thierry Henry at his height would have been proud of. And what’s more there was still time for Bendtner to get his hat trick. What a fantastic night’s entertainment.
Player ratings:
Almunia: a rare clean sheet but a very important one. I still say that him watching the first leg at Porto reassured him more than any other event. 7
Sagna: this man is like a thoroughbred horse he needs resting from time to time to get the best out of him. Tip-top defending and you could see the concentration on his face just before he was about to cross the ball, he has obviously been practising. 8
Campbell: don’t you just love him; any man that revives the “Invincibles Huddle” can do no wrong with me. 7
Vermaelen: this man holds the key to our success, we can cope with an injury to almost any other player except the Belgian. If you think of the alternatives they are scary, he did the job of two players having to make up for Sol’s lack of pace and because of that I make the Vermanator my man of the match. 8.5
Clichy: absolutely brilliant, there is nothing more pleasing than to be proved wrong about a player. I feared he would never return to form after his recent injury, I was wrong: a classy determined display. 8
Diaby: patrolled the middle of the park with skill and authority this man visibly improves week on week. 8
Song: another commanding performance, he is going to be the best in the world in his position when he is twenty six. 8
Nasri: he is starting to come into his own now, and what a great time to do it. The young Zidane they say and I would not try and disagree. 8
Rosicky: a clever choice this by Wenger over the expected Walcott, the Czech keeps the ball better and adds more to the defence, he was part of the plan to contain Porto in the first part of the game before releasing Theo, if we were ahead, or throw on Eduardo if we were behind. 7.5
Bendtner: how many Bendtners does it take to change a light bulb? How many light bulbs have you got. What a way to answer your critics, the hat trick hero deserves all the praise he gets. 8
Arshavin: I wonder who the opposition would have to be for the Russian to deem them worthy enough to give his full attention. He gave the impression that Porto were beneath him and would only turn it on if and when he felt like it, but when he did it was pure genius. 8
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Morning all
Pressure is off and so we can all be friends again 😉
ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, NEVER OUTGUNNED
We were always friends London ! I feel we Gooners experienced instant karma over the last few days. We clapped Bendy off after his ‘mare on Saturday and kept his confidence up so that he repaid this faith with his 3 yesterday. The spanking administered to Porto was, IMO, in part due to the reaction we showed to Bendy on Saturday.
Morning London,
Excellent match report – you’ve said it all 😛
I think the crowd should also get an 8/10 – for cheering Bendtner off on saturday, cheering his name at the start of the game and singing his praise throughout the game – we played our part. I particularly enjoyed it when the ‘clockenders’ started singing ‘Arsene, Arsene give us a wave’ and the boss duly obliged.
Nasri should get a TEN rating after that performance. What does a guy have to do to earn a ten?
And good capture of the mood and sensations of the match London. I now sense a difference in the resolve and character of the side compared to 3 months ago. Did anyone hear about Collymore getting all nervous about the Gooners who stayed behind to goad him? Quality stuff, or should I say Qaulidee.
Super post once again London.
The Arshavin turning French really had me laughing, and it is so true. The fishface and shrug of the shoulders !
I would also give AW a 9/10. His tactics were spot on last night.
How I wish I had been there.
Welcome Amerigooner,
By Nasri’s already pretty high standards, that was his best game so far – but he’s going to get even better, so maybe he’ll score a 10 in the CL final.
Morning all
Great read London – these games get tucked away in the memory to be fondly returned to when things get a little tough – ‘I was there’ will make your heart swell.
Its always great to be a gooner but when the spuds start texting you you know its really special 😉
Great post London,
A truly magnificent night. One of the first times I’ve experienced the Highbury feeling at the Emirates. Although it might have been the rum. Now I’ve read that I can get on with my day. Lots of light bulbs to change…
Plus we really saw the benefit of scoring early.
Teams are forced to come onto us instead of parking the bus, and consequently our little geniuses have the space to work their magic.
the young guns played very fascinating football as they are known for, all that is left is for the players to remain focus and fit in the remainder of the season. i wish all injured players quick recovery and a successful weekend against hull city. GUUUUUNNNNEEERRSS 4 LIFE
Those at the game probably wouldn’t have seen that Lewin patched up Nasri towards the end of the first half. The commentators were doubting he would continue to play.
How did Lewin do it? He wrapped Gaffer tape around Nasri’s thigh!! I am not kidding – he really did. And the thought that went through my mind was that I hoped Samir shaved his legs, because it was going to be very unpleasant getting it off 🙂
Amerigooner
Nasri’s goal was a ten, but don’t forget he was injured for a quarter of the match and it was touch and go whether he would come out for the second half. We are all obviously glad he did.
Morning Chaf
Great point: the Highbury feeling at the Emirates.
Morning BR
I wondered what was going on, Lewin used to be a roady for Status Quo.
Top class post!!! u deserve a 10 for that 😛 … woooow i really dont know what would have made me more happier than the match last night.
Arshavin was a bit rusty but he did the trick. Song, Nasri, Rosicky, Eboue, Verminator … oh my days i nearly listed all the team lol they were just superb oh yh bendtner too lol
Raddy – thats funny about Nasri shaving his legs 🙂 Irish texted me to say that a lot of bandages had been wrapped around his leg.
He was one of the outstanding players last night and I’m so pleased that hes gone from strength to strength, he started on the road to legendary status in the game against Sunderland IMO and hes not looked back.
Thanks for the text updates from the ground Peachy – I did appreciate it, especially when you said “How about 4-0?” when I worried about us conceding a goal after going 2-0 up.
Morning Rasp
Good choice of picture.
Dad I have told you to stop coming on here. Lol
Thanks Djofils
Great post! Great win! Great dane!
Thanks London,
Mine is the easy part, there are a lot of ‘clever titles’ to articles today, but I thought yours summed up our mood this morning perfectly.
I don’t know how many have noticed the Nik hat-trick banner?
I am particularly pleased to see that Sagna and Clichy have returned to being the best wingback partnership in the prem.
I’ve put the Nasri goal in the vodpod side bar – watch and smile 😆
Oi London, did you steal my Invincible huddle quote from last week 😉
Great game last night and a good atmosphere… it was written in the stars Bendtner would get a hat trick and Nasri goal.. wowsers, I didn’t see that coming..
Tottenham Tottenham, Eastenders… 🙂
P.S have you all seen the thread by a Millwall fan, if not type in “stuwall idiot” into google. It’s a classic and made the papers today! Apologies if someone has already done it.
PPS are we having a Friday rant this week as I feel a rant coming on
Morning Livers
I put it in inverted commas out of respect to you 😉
Livers
You feel a rant this early, I’m in the mood to help old ladies across the road and donate to charity.
Yeah and it’ll start with European refs!
6 second half subs 1 min injury time for starters.. not that I was complaining but that’s the start and crux of it
Hi Livers,
I’d like to carry on with ‘Rant Friday’ for the timebeing. Everyone is welcome to add a paragraph – it mustn’e be condtrued as anti-Arsenal. I loved the game last night, but something got me fuming which I shall be getting off my chest sometime soon.
Livers – if you want to add something to a rant post you can email it to arsenalnuts@aol.com. We’re thinking that ‘rant friday’ was a good way to put the demons to bed before getting up for the weekend.
I put our victory down to my drinking a glass of red and white wine alternately.
Works for home games but …..
Cool thanks Rasp and Peaches…If I don’t get this of my chest sooner or later then I’ll explode… I’m in too good a mood to explode !
Rasp. Your graphics work is excellent. Have you been on a course in photoshop?
I’ve just watched the Vodpod peaches has put up of the Nasri goal again – it get’s better every time I see it. Three defenders on him and they don’t get anywhere near him. It show’s the value of having ‘ball players’ getting into the box. Defenders hate it, they are either too scared to tackle or we win a penalty as EE did for the 5th.
Hi Raddy,
No I’m just an amateur who plays around with it. I did some training in desktop publishing a few years ago but that’s all.
UEFA have just reclaimed the Nasri video – I’ll see if I can find another one 😦
101 great goals is usually good for that sort of stuff, but the commentry is usually in some foreign language like Georgie or spanish
*Geordie
Oh you know what I mean 😉
Rasp I think you may have hit on something there, different concerns from quite a few different people all going to make up one head line post.
I’ve put another video of the Nasri goal in the Vodpod side bar – it might take a couple of minutes to show up but its there
Good Job London well done mate.
Peaches I hope you wear ear muffs at the game with all those naughty unladylike words. LOL
Smashing game, but OOOOOh that French/Russian man and his casual passes makes my bottle twitch.
Told some spuds by text this morning to watch our improvement on their Ricky Villa moment. they were not happy Lol
Happy gunner day, maybe the Mancs will lose tonight and get the press really at it
Morning
Isn’t it soooo lovely when the spud mates are rattled 😉
I hope someone somewhere is making this t***** eat his words – might be a job for Wrighty7
http://www.dexysden.com/2010/03/arsenal-will-crash-out-of-the-champions-league-tonight/
Which t***** is that Peachy, anyone we know ?
Sorry, I forgot the link 😳
That was a quick,cheeky edit !
Trust you chary to be there exactly at the moment I posted 🙂
What a great night eh, one of the best bits as a supporter was singing Niks name as he prepared to take the pen – that was at our end – we were all laughing that it was possible for him to miss………
I saw that last night on newsnow – what a tool! 99% of the comments were rightly puutting him in his place and even so pre match comments were telling him he was a tool, especially from a commenter called Goonerville.
……and cheering Eboue on as if he was a horse in a race when Arshavin was eating up the ground to get to receive his inch perfect pass and score……
I was looking for news of injuries – hope Nasris leg didn’t fall off when they undid the gaffer tape
Yeah, I was paying attention just then Peachy. I suppose the next time we’ll hear about injuries will be tomorrow at Wengers press conference. Tim has a fans eye video view of the Eboue goal here : http://www.7amkickoff.com/2010/its-just-a-perfect-day/comment-page-1/#comment-15672 if anyone’s interested.
chary – he writes a great match report doesn’t he, how exciting for him to have been at that game – of course we’re going to see another half a dozen of those before the season is out aren’t we 😉
It makes the 9 hour flight over from Tacoma worthwhile when you can be at the Grove on a night like last night. Roll on more of those nights !
Very nice post London. Unfortunately I get up too early and gave my thoughts before you posted.
Strange that the Sky commentators and Radio 5 live were concerned that nic chews gum all the time. Oh and Souness is a twunt.
I get the feeling judging from his post match interview that the boss really wants us to draw either Chelsea or United to prove a point. Well firstly, I have a feeling that they both will not go through, and if they did I can’t make up my mind which I would prefer to draw.In fact i think we would be better to avoid either.
Kelsey, I think he is indifferent to who we get, it was just the interviewer dared him to say he wanted to avoid the Chavs/Manks.
He could have said “It makes no difference to me”, but as ever Wenger gives too much time to the media tossers and tried to give them something. If I was him I’d be unhelpful during interviews as they give him nothing but bad press whatever he says.
There was a spark about Arsene I haven’t seen for a while.. it was like a “I told you so” and a “you’ll see” all wrapped up into one…
I hate it.. but I’m getting the vibes that I don’t want to get just yet…..
That’s the thing Livers, when we do badly the Press are quick to put the boot in and rub Wenger’s nose in it, but when we do well they’re trying to get him to sound arrogant and cocky.
I hate the press, and like I said, if I was Wenger I’d tell the hacks to go f**k themselves like ole 65% proof nose does when he doesn’t like what’s been written about the manks.
Oh don’t worry Charybdis, we’ll beat Hull and then all the papers will be full of “double” quotes just waiting to get their knives out…
Maybe Wenger waiting to tell all the press the feck off at the end of the season 😉
Livers, that reminds me of how SkySports(aka ManUreSports) stitched up Wenger about the Ramsey post-Stoke press conference. They put a video clip of the last 3 minutes of a 6 minute press conference exchange where the hacks goaded him and goaded him about “you don’t want people to tackle you” and “you want to take physicality out of the game” so that you only saw him getting to the end of his tether(and made him look stroppy) rather than the disrespectful goading that preceded it. The BBC showed the whole exchange and you could see the daft questions and remarks made by the dumb headed hacks (eg that Davies of Bolton was out for 4-5 weeks due to the Gallas tackle)so that Wenger’s demeanour by the end of the interview made more sense.
I have to admit they try and stitch up Rafa as well in just the same way.
Weird really and they arselick Fergie because he’s there only interview as such as he doesn’t talk to the Beeb
99% of the media do us no favours – I don’t see why we should bother helping them. Screw ‘em I say.
Message to all,
I have started the ball rolling by saving my contribution to ‘Rant Friday’ in drafts. Anyone who wishes to add a paragraph on their own particular gripe is welcome to add it in or email it to us via the buttons at the top of the page.
Great post especially loved the Arsh rating and review. So true that, about him.
Hi Mayank – how are you today? It seems theres a bit of a hangover and the blog’s been very quiet……
Great post London it sure was fun and I’ve had that feel good factor all day! (despite the rum) That is ,until that twat Durham on Talk Shite started sucking up to the mancs in a low life bar near the industrial estate saying Bentner is over rated and Porto were awful, still had to beat them and we did with style and panache!
Bring on the orange one and shove it up them on Saturday in our jeans and hoodies!
Showing now, Sheffield v Arsenal 1993 cup final on ESPN 429
London, your summary gave me goose bumps, thanks.
benwell, good point and gonna be the subject of my rant, god i hate talksport but i’m always compelled to listen hoping that theyre gonna say somat nice about us!
Alan Green has had two goes at the Arsenal and its fan base in the first ten minutes of his involvement with 5 live, he really is a sad man.
Thanks guys, very kind.
OK, all you Flamini-ites tonight you are going to see your boy for the first time in ages, I think you have all elevated him way too high in your memories. There is only one question, there is only one debate, is he better than Song?
Ooooh theres a challenge London – I’m a Flamini-ite but I have to say I do now like Song too…….
AC were so poor I can’t even be bothered to watch it.
There is a common denominator to why the hleb’s, flamini’s et al of this world do so well at the Arsenal.. then total rubbish when they flee the nest.
One Arsene Wenger…. there’s only one Arsene Wenger!
Watched the Real-Lyon game. Hope we draw Lyon, it would be a cracking game.
They play very much like us but dive a lot more (and they love a roll on the ground in agony). Ronaldo was superb as always and mighty p’ed off with his team-mates who quite frankly deserved to lose.
From the highlights AC need to go back to the drawing board. Find some money and buy, buy, buy.
No doubt the press will be bigging MU up, despite beating a very poor AC team
BR, the Lyon manager is Wenger’s Protége.
He spent 6 months at Highbury back in 2001, learning the ropes from his old Monaco manager following the tin tack from … Monaco as manager, the season after winning the league.
I like him – sign him up as AW’s assistant and say goodbye to Postman Pat 😉
We should take LLoris as well.
and baftembi gomis… awesome striker.
can’t believe he does not get more playing time for them.
They bought Lisandro for all that money from Porto and he missed a couple of sitters.
Still think we will draw an English team SH?
Chances must be pretty high
we don’t need lloris
chesney will be first team come next season.
he is freak of nature and ready to take the number one jersey.
i think so BR
and i think it will be Utd.
and i think we will terrorise the norvern monkeys over 180 minutes and finally lay that ghost to rest.
It is rare that a 20 year old takes the GK shirt in a top team. I can only think of Casillas.
But perhaps AW will try Chesney and keep Coco as back up. As you say, it is unlikely AW will sign a GK considering he has extended the contracts of Mannone and Fab.
In the words of the great KK ” I would love it if we eat them! Love it!!”
Typinsons…. Beat !!!
Night SH. Have a fine evening
i still have some faith in fabinski aswell, he has massive talent.. far, far more than almunia, but his confidence is smashed to bits right now.
i would like to see a straight up fight for the 2 goalie spots between the 2 poles.
i have finally lost all faith in almunia, that clearance last night ( not read any blog anywhere discuss it ), at a precarious 2-0, right into the lap of the porto player, was disgusting.. big sol looked manual up and down after that feeble clearance and was ready to rip his head off.
he has lost it big time.
night BR
There is only one Song, we’ve only got one Song!
Flamini would only be a squad player, Alex offers so much more.
Evening Benwell
What a shame for Real Madrid and Christano Ronaldo 😉
How amazing for Lyons though 😯
AC Milan were really poor though weren’t they – the mancs just steamrollered over them as only the mancs can do 😦
Rooneys first goal was stunning I have to admit 😳
Morning all.
I would say Porto offered more of a threat than Milan for at least an hour but of course the british media will heap praise on United. Have to say that Rooney has added a new dimension to his game with his improved heading ability.8 goalls from his last 9 with headers is mighty impressive.
Platini will feel sick, especially if Chelsea also go through,but it shows the Pl is still the strongest league in Europe.
Madrid will borrow more euros from the Spanish government, at their own terms, and hosting the Final without them will be a bitter blow.Expect wholesale changes yet again.
Talking about Alan green, he and Lawrensen are the morecambe and Wise of Radio 5. If you listened to them last night it was more about trying to be funny than describe a football match.Green kept saying the protest against the Glazers was full of yellow and gold scarves(not yellow and green) he didn’t know the Christian name of the Glazers that were watching and both repeatedly mocked Milan, to the point that it was insulting and childish.
Won’t be around for the rant today,so enjoy yourselves.
Wooooohoooo feeling good about this season gooners, one of the big trophies are coming.
Great game the other night.
I thought Diaby was quietly effective – he had two good chances that had good power in them – the header and half volley.
Bendtner was class but I’ve always been a fan of his.
Now, I think in conclusion it has been a warning to Porto not to mess with us, take quick free kicks will ye???!!!
Nice to see you irish.
tell me is Merida out of contract and it appears Gallas is out for at least another week and the vibes are that he is off to Roma if he doesn’t get a two year deal(which I think he will get or does the boss think Campbell can do his job ?)
Hiya Kelsey 🙂
Merida is out of contract but Wenger seemed pretty confident he would sign on again. He has got great talent and while I fail to see where he’ll get in to our team at the moment it would be terrible to lose him for nothing. Hopefully we can sign him and then loan him.
Surely Wenger has to give Gallas a two year deal, he has been immense this season and deserved it imo. Would you blame Gallas if he left? He should be rewarded for his great season not given a one year contract, he needs more than that at this stage of his career.
That’s why i mentioned it irish, it would be a mistake to let him go.
Definitely – we need all the experience we can keep as well.
You know I wrote him off after his tantrum and the insults of last season but huge credit to him he has turned things around big time.
Morning Irish, kelsey,
A new post is coming up in the next couple of minutes.
New post…..