SOCCER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: FC Porto 2 Arsenal 0 ARSENE WENGER could be forgiven for hoping that Arsenal now draw one of Europe's big guns in the Champions League last 16. His players seem incapable of raising themselves unless the level of the opposition or the occasion demands it.
While they can beat Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League, this defeat was their sixth in all competitions this season and Wenger's patched-up squad headed back to London knowing the final score had flattered them.
Arsenal, already qualified for the knock-out round, were lacklustre from start to finish, their performance riddled with defensive holes and a lack of penetration further forward, and the result meant Porto leapfrogged them to finish on top of Group G.
Wenger is unsure whether the draw in Nyon on Friday week will offer any advantage to the group winners - there are plenty of dangerous runners-up, he has noted - but there was only exasperation last night for the club's followers. Their team was second best in every area.
This was an unfamiliar Arsenal line-up as Wenger eyed warily the lunchtime Premier League kick-off at Middlesbrough on Saturday. The absence of Gael Clichy, one of a host of regulars left behind in London, meant Denilson, about whom the jury remains out, became the club's only ever-present in this season's Champions League.
It was another of Wenger's selections, though, who was under the greatest scrutiny. Emmanuel Eboue might have been cheered to hear some of Arsenal's 1,500 travelling supporters sing a song before the game that celebrated his coming from Africa and being better than Kaka.
The Ivorian was keen to move on from the jeers he suffered from the Emirates crowd on Saturday, against Wigan Athletic, and there appeared to be forgiveness in the air. But Eboue, restored to right-back, was part of an unconvincing defensive display, frequently being exposed by the pace of Christian Rodriguez. There were jittery moments from him and Porto got too much joy down his flank.
The energising atmosphere that had been predicted by Wenger failed to materialise as there were many empty seats here. The qualification of both clubs after five group ties had removed some of the sheen from the showpiece. For long spells, the game had the feel of a highly technical training ground contest. The flawless surface encouraged the passing players and, as ever in Arsenal fixtures, there was neat interchange work.
Wenger started with Alex Song in a holding midfielder role and with the little striker Carlos Vela on the left flank. Nicklas Bendtner, in lime green boots, led the line on his own.
The team's best moment in the first half came when Aaron Ramsey pulled the trigger from the right of the penalty area. His left-foot effort was sweetly struck and arrowed towards the far corner. Helton, though, got a strong hand on the ball to push it past the post.
Porto's first-half goal had been signposted. Abou Diaby lost Bruno Alves from Raul Meireles' corner and the defender headed home.
As Arsenal continued to lack tempo at the beginning of the second half, it was difficult to see where a goal scoring opportunity would come from for them. Porto's midfield trio, anchored by Fernando, shielded their defence superbly while they looked menacing on the counter.
Arsenal's task began to look hopeless when Fernando exposed left-back Mikael Silvestre with a slide-rule ball inside him. It sent Lisandro clear and, when Almunia tried to make himself big, the striker lashed high into the far top corner. It was a finish of emphatic quality.
Arsenal's only second-half shot on target was Bendtner's free-kick. It was an evening to forget.
• Guardian Service
FC PORTO:Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Pedro Emanuel, Lucho Gonzalez (Costa 77), Fernando, Raul Meireles, Lopez, Hulk (Guarin 88), Rodriguez (Mariano Gonzalez 78). Subs Not Used: Nuno, Stepanov, Lino, Sektioui. Booked: Lucho Gonzalez.
ARSENAL:Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Silvestre, Djourou, Ramsey (Wilshere 59), Diaby (Gibbs 59), Song Billong (Randall 78), Denilson, Vela, Bendtner. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Hoyte, Merida, Simpson. Booked: Eboue.
Referee:Kyros Vassaras (Greece).
Bruno Alves 39 Lisandro 54
