pls drop rvp n adebayor! cos bendtner n vela r proven to have gd
chemistry.
rvp and adebayor scored 2 goals each for this match. mai anyhow
drop.
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Arsenal were in impressive
attacking vigour on Tuesday evening to secure a 4-0 triumph over
Porto in their UEFA Champions League encounter at Emirates
Stadium.
Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor both struck braces as
Arsene Wenger's side responded from their weekend setback against
Hull City to move top of Group G.
Holland international Van Persie opened the scoring with a
finish from close range before Adebayor doubled the home team's
advantage with a towering header.
Any chance of a Porto comeback was ended just three minutes into
the second period when Van Persie stabbed home, and then Adebayor
stepped up from the penalty spot to seal the triumph after Nicklas
Bendtner was felled in the box.
The Gunners were heavily criticised after their Premier League
loss to Hull, not least by manager Wenger himself, but the
Frenchman resisted the temptation to axe some of his
under-performing stars.
French winger Samir Nasri was the only new face, ending a
month-long spell in the treatment room to replace Emmanuel Eboue -
who was relegated to the bench.
Early on Arsenal threatened, breaking fluidly from their own
half, short passing from Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Adebayor saw
the ball worked across the area to Theo Walcott.
He was stationed on the right and had time to pick his shot, but
a smart save from Da Silva Helton saw the effort palmed to
safety.
The reactions of Helton saved Porto once again shortly
afterwards when Van Persie attempted a long-range shot, but then it
was Arsenal's turn to mop their brows.
Tomas Costa sped down the right wing and delivered a perfect
cross to Cristian Rodriguez, whose diving header hit the ground
before deflecting off the bar.
But the effort offered only temporary respite for Porto - who
saw Van Persie, Walcott and Adebayor miss half-chances.
For all Arsenal's dominance of territory and possession, Porto's
speed on the counter meant they could not afford any lapses in
concentration.
Lisandro Lopez underlined the point by blasting a
beautifully-struck curling shot at the top corner, but a diving
Manuel Almunia reacted just in time.
Arsenal remained on top, however, and their perseverance was
rewarded with a 30th-minute goal by Van Persie.
Adebayor and Van Persie combined expertly down the right of the
area, creating space for the Togo marksman.
He looked up and delayed his pass to the Dutchman, who prodded
the ball home.
The Gunners surged further ahead with five minutes of the half
remaining when Adebayor leapt above Jorge Rolando to head Van
Persie's corner towards the ground.
The ball bounced awkwardly for Helton and defender Nelson
Benitez, who was stationed on the line - the duo could only watch
on as it sailed over their heads.
The second half was just three minutes old when Arsenal added to
the scoreline with a surprisingly easy third.
Walcott did the initial damage before the ball found its way to
Van Persie, who showed strength to fend off Bruno Alves and stab
home.
Porto's defence was crumbling, and Walcott should have made it
four but missed a sitter from four yards out.
The England forward's pace was proving a constant threat as he
marauded down the right wing at will.
Arsenal's fourth arrived when Bendtner, on for Van Persie, was
brought down by a clumsy tackle from Freddy Guarin.
Adebayor stepped up and slotted the penalty home to complete an
easy night for the Gunners.
