Slow march to last 16 for uninspired Gunners

ARSENAL successfully negotiated a potentially fraught trip to Porto but endured a few heart-stopping moments before clinching their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

The Gunners had already faced one “moment of truth” this season according to their boss Arsene Wenger in the build up-to last week’s 2-1 loss to Fulham, and last night’s critical Group G showdown was another.

But while neither side initially appeared in a hurry to climb out of first gear at the Estadio do Dragao – a point would have seen them both qualify for the last 16 – Porto cranked up the tension after the interval.

Ricardo Quaresma was denied by a stunning save from Jens Lehmann and the slippery winger then rattled the woodwork.

The Portuguese champions maintained the pressure with Quaresma and Lisandro Lopez showing flashes of brilliance that far outshone anything Arsenal could produce until the match petered out in the last 10 minutes.

Arsenal boss Wenger signalled his intentions by picking midfielder Mathieu Flamini over striker Robin van Persie with Emmanuel Adebayor operating as a lone forward.

The defensive approach contributed to the Gunners’ failure to muster a single meaningful shot on goal and they spent most of the second half trying to stem the tide of Porto attacks.

Wenger may reflect the club accomplished their target in reaching the next stage but their negative approach might have backfired but for the timely intervention of Lehmann and the post.

Ultimately last night’s events at the Estadio do Dragao did not matter as CSKA Moscow failed to beat Hamburg – despite leading twice – in the Group G clash but it was a far from convincing display from Arsenal.

Porto made a solid start by closing down Arsenal, who enjoyed most of the early possession, as quickly as possible.

But there was danger in the fifth minute when Alexander Hleb showed skill and composure to release Cesc Fabregas only for the Spaniard to overhit his pass to Flamini who could not connect.

An outrageous flick from Quaresma brought yells of delight from the home support and Lehmann had to scurry across his line to meet the oncoming shot at the far post.

Postiga and Pepe tried their luck as Porto began to attack with more venom with Lisandro Lopez, who was patrolling the left wing to good effect, their most dangerous player.

Neither side showed any changes for the second half and it took superb reflexes from Lehmann to prevent Arsenal going behind in the 48th minute.

Lucho Gonzalez set off on a marauding run and picked out Lopez whose centre escaped all the Gunners’ defenders and found an unmarked Quaresma.

The winger drilled a powerful low shot to the right hand corner but Lehmann rescued the situation with a magnificent save before having to react to a useful run from Postiga.

There were worrying signs for Arsenal as Porto continued to pile on the pressure and the visiting fans had their hearts in their mouth when Quaresma struck the post with a piledriver that had beaten Lehmann.

Postiga sent a 69th minute effort wide of the right post as Porto continued to press and with news that CSKA Moscow had taken a 2-1 lead against Hamburg, Arsenal could not afford to slip up.

Porto took their foot off the pedal in the last 15 minutes to the displeasure of the home crowd but they were content to have secured qualification in second place behind group winners Arsenal.

FC PORTO: Helton, Bosingwa, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fucile, Gonzalez, Paulo Assuncao, Raul Meireles (Ibson 85), Lopez, Quaresma, Postiga (Bruno Moraes 80).

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Hleb, Silva, Flamini, Ljungberg, Fabregas, Adebayor (Van Persie 79).

Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).