Arsenal 4 – 0 FC Porto

Arsene Wenger on Cesc’s performance “I think he was outstanding tonight. He was good defensively and offensively and overall it was a complete performance”
Now that’s more like it! A fantastic game tonight for the Arsenal and a valuable 3 points earned. Arsenal made a shakey start but after 20 minutes began to get into their stride. In the 31st minute, a sublime piece of skill from Cesc Fabregas saw him control a high ball and then turn and make a fab pass to Adebayor, who slipped the ball into the path of an on-rushing Robin Van Persie, who slotted home to dispel any lingering nerves.
Shortly before the break Adebayor headed home the second and early into the second half Robin Van Persie put the final nail in Porto’s coffin, with a stunning individual goal.
After that Arsenal eased off of the accelerator somewhat, casually adding a fourth from the penalty spot later in the half, but by then they were just cantering through the remaining minutes.
Cesc gave a first class performance with some superb passes in the first half and a lot of hard work in defence, where he won possesion back several times. He made 79 passes with an 87% completion rate.
The game will have gone a long way towards silencing the teams critics and to also, more importantly, restoring their own confidence. Read full match report. View match photos Watch highlights below
Emanuel Adebayor mentioned Cesc in his post-match interview, he said, “He played well, he kept the ball as normal; Fabregas always plays good… don’t get me wrong, he’s a human being like everyone so sometimes everything gets difficult but he is always there to show character. He is 21 and has got a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and he is dealing with that well.”
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Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
JaneRadriges
June 13, 2009
great and young site here.
mockolo
October 4, 2008
hi rose hi everyone . the game was fantastic . fabregas was simply amazing – as usual – he played some eye-catching brand of football and passes .
arsene was right when he said that was the best performance of the season so far . van persie was outstanding . his goals were so classy and exciting.
the whole team was amazing . i cant find words to describe how happy i am . hope they keep the good work at the stadium of light . . it is our chance to lead the table again . chelsea’s deco , carva , j.cole , drogba . essien are all injured and they are facing the 3rd aston villa . hope they suffer .
liverpool is facing man city and i think the game wont be that easy . hope they suffer a loss too .
arsenal presented one of their best game with lots and lots of amazing passes . almunia said that the boss showed them the furiuos face before the game maybe thats why they were outstanding . he should use that face quite a lot .
hope them and fabregas best luck next game .
gooner and fabregas fan 4 life .
kate
October 3, 2008
Rosie, I think it was only an 8 month run without scoring because he scored that double against Dinamo Zagreb in August 06 but it might have been 11 months since he’d last scored in the league. Either way it was a long time between drinks. Sorry to be so anal
sam
October 2, 2008
Hi Bob, it’s a Nike headband
Rose, don’t forget Cesc did score (basically) against Hull. I mean I know it’s an own goal so he doesn’t get the real credit but if McShane didn’t get in the way then Cesc was the Arsenal player who got a toe to it and directed it to the goal. It’s a pity he doesn’t get the full credit tho
Hi Frisch
Yes Cesc is the best no matter how he does his hair! I was only joking around – well mostly – although I would like it if he changed his hair-style lol
mj
October 2, 2008
Do you know what brand of headband he is wearing? I can’t tell from the pictures and would really appreciate it if you can help me figure it out
Thanks!
goonerbob
October 2, 2008
oohh Rose!!
thanks for echoing my sentiments too..
cesc is a player who care more about team glory rather than personal glory.. dat’s wat makes his special..
it doesnt matter if he dun start scoring now but as long as he dictates da play for arsenal; i’m happy for him!!
crazygal_miLa
October 2, 2008
Hi everyone
Welcome to those of you who are new, thanks for posting!
Mila, anyone who says that Cesc’s passing game is going down hill, doesn’t know what they are talking about and must be looking to find fault where this isn’t any imo
The stats for the number of passes he has made per game and also importantly in the oppositions half as well as his completion rate show indisputably that his passing game is as good as ever.
I think some people are criticising him because he isn’t scoring goals and this time last season he’d scored about 7. They make criticisms of other aspects of his game but under-lying it all is an impatience that he is not on the scoresheet. It was inevitable that this would happen but if they had followed his career for very long they would know that last season’s goal scoring streak – whilst nice – was unusual and that the season before Cesc didn’t score until April 14th. His first goal of the 06/07 season was against Bolton and ended an 11 month run without scoring. Cesc’s game is not about goals, they are a bonus of course.
He has been doing important work for the team this season, he has provided more defensive cover than ever before this has meant he simply hasn’t spent as much time in forward positions, this reduces his chances for goals and assists but the work is important work, it’s not glamorous and a lot of the time you don’t get rave reviews in the newspaper for it, but Cesc is a team player and he will serve the team before he serves his own reputation and he deserves respect for this.
That said, he did get rave reviews this last game and that was nice to see, these last two games he seems to be getting forward more so I’m sure it’s just a case of working out the right balance and how to best combine with the rest of the midfield.
I found some more pictures so I must go put them up
Rose
October 2, 2008
thanks Sam for reassuring me!!
i thought i’m da only one who tinks otherwise.. glad to know dat u’re tinking in da same frequency as me.. hehehe..
hello Akeda!! welcome to tis fantastic webby!!
crazygal_miLa
October 2, 2008
Hi Marco, don’t thank us thank Fred! Fliggo seems to provide much better video than youtube, we are going to look at re-loading our season review clips on to it, as you really need the better quality for match highlights to see what is happening.
Hi Akeda, it’s nice to have people from all over the world visiting!
Hiya Mila, nice to see you again
Has Cesc’s passing game being going downhill? No. No. and just to be clear NO
Arsene said he was outstanding and Arsene is a slightly better judge of these things than fans on forums! So I would ignore it Mila.
George, TA couldn’t agree more but one game at a time chaps, one game at a time.
sam
October 2, 2008
Thanks for the video it’s really good quality and clear not like youtube
marco
October 2, 2008
Hello from Iran! This my first time to post! I thought Cesc make a very good game!! Arsenal forever
akeda
October 1, 2008
yeah!!!
arsenal WON!! yippee!!
cesc was superb in yesterday match though he seems lost in da last few minutes (he lost a couple of possessions).. THUMBS UP!!
by da way; do u all tink dat cesc’s passing has been getting sloppier each game?? cuz i read in another forum & da so-called cesc’s fans stated dat his passing is going downwards..
well; i disagree wif them!! cuz i tink his passing is still da same though sometimes da opponents managed to intercept it..
so; i juz wanna get ur opinions on tis..
crazygal_miLa
October 1, 2008
I like what Wenger said maybe with his choice of words is message for del Bosque
)
malu
October 1, 2008
Great result. Good attack. Dodgy defending. We’re going to need to sort a few things out before we face a top team but we’re on the improve. It’s all good
Cesc was terriffic and Robin and Theo had good nights too.
George
October 1, 2008
better. Cesc make some brilliant pass I’m much happy
kim li
October 1, 2008
Awesome stuff. Van Persie and Fabregas definitely men of the match for me.
Let’s keep it going against Sunderland. I hope we can build from here. It’s going to be a bumpy season if we need a wake up call every few games to get us going.
TA
October 1, 2008
Congrats to Cescy on a super game!! I hope he celebrates the win by getting a hair-cut
haha
October 1, 2008
HAHAHAHAHAHAH….
very nice match.
CESC would be very happy.
so do I.
Sam, I can’t wait to watch the video!!
I agree with mj on cesc’s hair style..
hahaha…whether his hairstyle is good or not, He’s the best!!
guys, good night!
frisch
October 1, 2008
Normal service is resumed! Fabulous game! Now more of the same please =)
I have to agree with you M that it’s not the most flattering of hair-do’s but perhaps he lost a bet? Or hes been asked to grow it for an ad or a photoshoot. You never know.
Bri
October 1, 2008
I’m so happy they won and I’m with MJ on the hair! He looked so nice before when it was short!
shizo
October 1, 2008
I’ll add video a bit later. Otherwise my work here is done. Goodnight
sam
October 1, 2008
Hi Sam I just edited the report to add Arsene Wenger’s comment to the top. I have to say I agree with Arsene. I always agree with Arsene lol
MJ lol please don’t throw rocks at me but I don’t think the hair is that bad (ducks and runs)
Rose
September 30, 2008
YaY!! We won! I’m so happy
We are a great team when we just finish a few of our chances. We don’t even have to finish most of them lol just a few of the many and we’re world beaters
I’m so glad that Cesc had a great game it makes me feel less mean when I point out that the hair situation is now critical (the team picture is frightening). It actually looks like something crawled on top of his head and died. Seriously, the hair today was kind of a disaster. What I don’t understand is he has a girlfriend, he has a sister, he has a mother – how can this happen!?! I thought there was like a female oath we all had to take, where we solemnly promised not to let the men in our lives do these things to themselves. C’mon ladies sort your boy out. He’s having a hair “Chernobyl” on your watch. Get to it!!
Do they have “queer eye for the straight guy” in the UK? Can we send like a crack team of gay hairdressers over to Arsenal? May-day May-day Hair-style SOS!!!! Bjorn Borg just called and he wants his look back!!
mj
September 30, 2008