Bbc Game - Soccer - Arsenal Five-zero Porto (6-2)

Nicklas Bendtner, left, and Samir Nasri produced great presentations at the Emirates

By Phil McNultyChief soccer creator on the Emirates Stadium

Nicklas Bendtner struck a hat-trick as Arsenal outclassed Porto to overturn a first-leg deficit effectively and clinch an area inside the closing 8 of the Champions League.

Bendtner - closely criticised after a succession of misses in Saturday's win towards Burnley - scored twice in the first 1/2 to wipe out the 2-1 lead Porto have been protecting from the primary recreation in arsenal fc hat Portugal.

Andrey Arshavin turned into instrumental in each dreams as Bendtner introduced the very last flourishes to Arsenal's flowing attacking movements that enabled them to take manage nearly instantly.

Porto implemented short pressure after the c programming language, with Manuel Almunia saving from Falcao, however Arsenal completed the formalities and cruised into the quarter-finals withfantastic desires internal three mins just after the hour.

Samir Nasri, taking over Cesc Fabregas' midfield mantle within the absence of Arsenal's inspirational captain thru harm, launched into a weaving, angled solo run that took him past a succession of Porto defenders to attain.

Substitute Emmanuel Eboue fast introduced the fourth as Arsenal launched a sweeping counter-attack from a Porto corner, Arshavin once more making existence easy for his crew-mate to go around Helton and score.

Bendtner crowned a night time of personal glory and an emphatic victory for Arsenal when he scored from the spot with actually the final kick of the sport after Eboue changed into hauled down.

Porto, a quick spell at the start of the second one half aside, were flimsy competition. Greater demanding situations will lie in advance for Arsene Wenger's aspect - however the victory margin changed into a fair reflection on their superiority in front of an elated Emirates gallery.

Wenger used his programme notes to launch an impassioned defence of Theo Walcott following complaint of his disappointing overall performance for England in opposition to Egypt - however determined to start with him at the bench.

Wenger would love to face United or Chelsea

Arsenal infrequently ignored him in a faster-charged start that established the rules for a first 45 minutes that noticed them in charge of the tie via the c program languageperiod.

Arshavin's header had already brought a first-rate store from Helton at his close to post before Bendtner positioned his wayward weekend finishing behind him to provide Arsenal the lead after 10 minutes. Nasri's bypass sent Arshavin through, and while Nuno Coelho collided with Helton as he challenged the Russian, Bendtner became lurking to steer domestic the free ball.

And it turned into Arshavin's creativity that unlocked Porto again and set Bendtner up for his 2nd 15 minutes later. He tormented Porto with some trademark sleight of foot earlier than offering Bendtner with the easiest of possibilities.

Porto had shown some chance on the smash, but the real risk became coming from Arsenal and Arshavin have to have tightened their grip on the sport 12 minutes before half-time, most effective to hearth carelessly over the pinnacle of an open intention after satisfactory work by Nasri.

As Arsenal continued to carve open the Porto defence, Helton twice got here to his side's rescue as he saved low down from Bendtner, then dived at his put up to push out Abou Diaby's header.

Porto had their pleasant danger after 54 minutes while Hulk installation Falcao, however his finish became directly at Almunia, who hung on at the second one attempt.

Nasri then made two critical contributions at both give up of the pitch to make sure Arsenal's secure passage into the closing 8. He distinguished himself in defence with the aid of clearing Porto substitute Cristian Rodriguez's header off the line, then unveiled a moment of very best talent to wrap up Arsenal's win after sixty three mins.

He slalomed in from the proper flank, twisting and turning past 3 Porto defenders to flash a end across Helton into the far nook, and Eboue was able to put further polish on Arsenal's overall performance while he added the fourth three mins later.

Arsenal had been victims of quick counter assaults from Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea in current weeks, but this time the boot become on the other foot as Arshavin led the rate from a Porto nook to play in Eboue, who rounded Helton to attain.

And Bendtner was no longer to be denied a primary senior hat-trick while Arsenal had been offered a penalty with only seconds left. He snatched the ball and slid his penalty beyond Helton to offer the ideal finale to a tremendous night for Wenger's facet. Live textual content and stats

Champions LeagueHome TeamScoreAway TeamTimeArsenal5-0FC PortoFT(HT 2-0)(agg 6-2)Bendtner 10Bendtner 25Nasri sixty threeEboue 66Bendtner (pen) arsenal fc ninety+1

Komentar