Written by Mark Brus on Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
09 Mar	7:45 PM	CL	Fc Porto (H)	5	0	Win

So, when I write about how Bendtner's going to be our Rooney, he looks more like Ade Akinbiyi against Burnley just a couple of days later. When I write that Nasri doesn't really have a position, he goes and plays a blinder in the Cesc Fabregas role.

The Frenchman does seem to have his best games in the Champions League where we're often playing at a pace he prefers. Once he adapts to the pace of the Premiership we'll have quite a player on our hands.

There's no denying that perhaps I expect a bit much from Nasri and Walcott. Everyone's always reminding me that they're only at the beginning of their careers, and to look at where the likes of Thierry Henry and Robért Píres were at that age, or even Alex Song, as a more recent example.

It's a fair point - the game is full of late bloomers, but Henry and Píres weren't doing their developing at Arsenal, they played at a lower level until they were ready to make the step up. Alex Song might look like a top midfielder now, but waiting for him to become one has, arguably, been costly.

Likewise, waiting for Nasri, Walcott, Diaby and Bendtner to show their undeniable talent regularly has meant we've not been quite good enough to win trophies for the last few seasons, and could make the difference again this year.

At the moment, things are going well, but it would be wise not to get too carried away after this result. Porto, much to my surprise, looked as prepared for defeat as they did on their last trip to the Emirates. They're a pretty awful side, it must be said, and there won't be many of them left in the Champions League this season.

Unsurprisingly, Wenger has come out and said he wants another shot at United or Chelsea. Of course he's going to say that, and how sweet revenge would be if we could get it, but I'd be lying if I wasn't hoping for ANYONE but them in the next round.

United are pretty certain to go through, and Chelsea have a pretty decent chance, so another of my predictions, that the English sides might have a rougher time in Europe this year, isn't going too well either.

In that case, I'll go with a 5-0 win for Hull this weekend, with a Bendtner hat trick of own goals. Pretty sure I'll be right this time...

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