Porto v. Arsenal 2-1 17/Feb/10

Shambolic, dreadful -to say the least- the Pole scoring in his own net.
[Photo: Guardian live matchcast]


In a a night full of contrasts and controversy the Gunners lost thanks to one of those appalling appearances of the so-called replacement of Manuel Almunia. Lukazs Fabianski attacked the first with the fear and inexperience of an eight year-old child from an amateur league in Arkansas. Certainly with this type of blunders there is not much to expect from both goalkeepers. As a matter of fact, the young Polish did not atone his first mistake and committed yet another, in an act of extreme inconsistency and unfocus, when after some trouble with Campbell, Martin Hansson awarded the home team a legitimate indirect freekick which derived into the second.

Still the fact -as said in many sites and even by visitors Manger- that the Gunners had previously taken benefit from these situations in the past does not sum up the whole issue. This is just an extension of the status of the defensive apparatus: a lack of leadership overcomes insecurity despite the strong performances of one of Arsenal's best players throughout the season.

The following game is at least three weeks from time. Wenger and the team should feel relieved enough when securing a precious away-goal: another one at the Grove without conceading an the fairy tale should miserably end for the Portuguese side.



Campbell did not enjoy a good return to European elite football.
[Photo: Mirror football]


The hectic and diabolic start of the game saw the Portuguese team enjoying several variants before taking the lead: Falcao ran past Campbell, just when Hulk strike went just wide and Mikael strikes to save from Vermaelen not even in the 4th minute. Cesc nearly scored in a counter from Nasri but then the dreadful episode began at the 11th minute when Varela edged out Clichy down the left and the unexperienced Fabianski flapped it in to give within the first minutes the lead.
Arsenal appeared not to be entirely given up, since Porto's attack had diminished. In the 19th minute the visitors held a corner which after some bizarre defending, Campbell headed; the Gunners were back on track. Helton made some vital savings when Rosicky went past three defenders and later shot with fierce effort. With thirty minutes already played it was evident that the match was dominated by the English team despite the defensive mistakes.
The prowess of Vermaelen and Campbell gave composure to the visitors' defence. This was proven again by Nicklas Bendtner whose header, in the 37th minute, was fingersaved by Helton. At the end of the first half Porto was no longer a threat.



After the first mistake nobody thought he would have another.
[Photo: AP via Daily Mail]


Arsenal began dominating the final third and at any time a goal could have arrived. Instead in the 52th the idiocy of Fabianski paired with Campbell's and a quick reaction from Falcao gifted Porto another goal. The problem with this situation was not the legitimacy of it -which was completely justified- but the fact that Hanson missed a clear penalty on the other end. The immediate result of it was the Portuguese goal.These inexcusable mistakes showed that similar share of contrasts that appeared in the last season.
With twenty minutes to play, the Gunners introduced Walcott with the hope of delivering some speed on the right flank. Although it proved a bit useful there was nearly no real striking capability. With ten minutes to go, Wenger was so desperate that brought Carlos Vela in. Again, the effort was futile. With the lack of "nominal" strikers each attempt singled out the necessity for one in the next transfer window.