Review: Arsenal 5 - Porto 0

An injured Arsewiper readily admits to a rather late review. What is it with Arse and injuries? Five minutes before kick-off, and I nearly slice off my finger. But hey, nothing was going to keep me from Arse v Porto...

Even if it meant celebrating the first goal jumping up with one hand stopping the bleeding from the other. (Let it be known than I am typing this with some difficulty minus one finger).

In any case, what sweet pain it all was. But for 10-15 jittery minutes at the start of the second half, we were at our imperious best - some of the passing was scarily good. I mean, we even had Arsh winning a header for our first goal. How more poetic can it get? As far as Bent Nick's hat-trick goes, well, if ever a missed hat-trick can be forgiven, it would be during a game with Burnley. And what better way to make up than getting one in the Champions League three days later. The performances from all across the team were remarkable. From Vermaelen to Sol, Nasri to Rosicky and even Eboue. Not to mention Nick. All on any other day would've been worthy men of the match on their performances.

This then, must rank up their on our most glorious European nights. With Madrid 1-0, Juve 2-0, Inter 5-1...and this without Cesc, RVP and even with a more-than-occasionally slack Arsh. Looks like Stoke really has had an effect, and we can only look forward to Saturday and doing the same to Hull.

To the player ratings:

Almunia 6.5 - Had one save to make, one flying punch, and that was about it.

Clichy 6.5 - A few of his occasions od lax defending, and letting the likes of the Incredibel Hulk get through. Thank god Hulk was more Bruce Banner last night.

Sol 7 - Showed his age on a few occasions, but showed too what we'd been lacking in experience. Good showing from the old man. A few clever challenges, sly nudges - solid defending all round.

TV 7.5 - Took up the slack from Billy's absence. All over the place, and got in the way of most things coming down the middle.

Sagna 7 - Scarily strong for a small-ish dude. Fast as always going forward, and he'll alwayd deliver a better ball than Theo...

Diaby 7 - Kept to his habits of keeping the ball, but had a better-than-average return last night. Not exactly commanding, but effective enough.

Song 6.5 - Not a bad performance, but I've marked him down given higher expectations. Had an average defensive show, and went forward aimlessly on more than one occasion. Needed him more than any other to stabilise things during that first period of the second half.

Nasri 8.5 - Cesc reincarnated. Has a stronger right leg (and left one too!). Pulled the strings, and showed the team how to get it done with his peach of a goal. Even Mrs Arsewiper sat up and watched that goal. Oh yeah, add to that a goal-line clearance too.

Arsh 7 - Good, but could've been much much better. Gave the ball away too many times, though he more than made up for those with his three assists. Just shows what quality is I suppose. Generally a so-so day at the office (with an open-goal miss too), but still has enough in store.

Rosicky 7 -Good energy; trade-mark performance of quiet effectiveness.

Bent Nick 8.5 - Just what he needed: first half, two chances, two goals. Probably had a better game at Burnley getting into position, but this time, he took advantage of his fewer opportunities.

As far as the Champions League goes then, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The draw for the quarters and semis takes place 19 March at 12 noon CET. Deadline Nyon. Fingers crossed.

In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the rest of the games which will decide the rest to go with Arse and Bayern. It'd be nice to see Lyon sneak in...

Later.