On a night when we had to win, simply had to muster key performances from several players… Arsenal came up big, with excellent performances from each and every Arsenal player to step on the pitch. When we play that way, no one can stand before us. No one.

I’m really glad that I’m not responsible for picking Man of the Match. I don’t think I could choose, when so many deserve the honor. I’ll start with Samir Nasri. He simply orchestrated this match like a seasoned maestro from start to finish, stepping up to replace the injured Cesc Fabregas. And, he did our Captain honorably, I’d say. Flanked by the excellent Alex Song and Abou Diaby, the midfield was ours. Add Tomas Rosicky into that mix, and it’s not hard to see why Porto were having trouble getting through the middle of the park. And, as if that weren’t enough, Samir managed one of the most skillful individual effort goals I’ve ever seen (this, coming from a man who was on-hand to watch Pelé play back in the late 1970s). SN8 simply samba’d his way from the right outside corner of their 18 yard box, through not one, nor two… but three defenders to expertly pound his shot in off the far post at an obtuse angle. The Porto keeper was perfunctorily put upon his ass. Breathtaking.

I felt this game coming in my old bones, I truly did. On Twitter, just minutes before the match, I wrote:

“Big games for AA, SN & NB. Come on you GUNNERS!”

And did they ever come through. Andrey Arshavin may not have been able to “make goal” last night, but he certainly created a few with his surgical footwork. Notably, the first two of Niklas Bendtner’s hat trick. They were both tireless at hounding the Portuguese defense, and it paid off. After missing a half dozen sitters at the weekend, The Great Dane came up large with three, marking his first premiership hat trick. And, was it not quite touching to see big ol’ Sol getting all up in Nik’s face and letting him know just what he thought of his efforts after the PK? If that sort of reaction from your teammates doesn’t inspire, nothing will. I feel sorry for the next defense that has to face Bendtner, as he’s probably chomping at the bit to tear another one open.

Speaking of Sol and the rest of the defense… what a fantastic effort by them all to get that clean sheet. Despite some nervy moments where it felt like Porto might actually come up with the goods to ruin our party, the central defense pairing of Sol Campbell and Thomas Vermaelen were like a wall before their attack. Herculean efforts from them both. Flanked by Bacary Sagna and the back-on-form Gael Clichy, we were simply too much for them. And, at a time when previously sketchy performances by some of our men have suddenly made a turn for the better, Manuel Almunia is putting in some solid work between the sticks. One can only hope this is a sign of things to come for him. Come on, Manuel! You know you’ve got it in you to be world class.

I’m saving the best for last. As much as I loved seeing Nik get his hat trick, and Samir positively confound the onlooking defense as he scored… my absolute favorite moment of the night, the one that made me literally do a spinning jump in my living room with fists raised… was seeing Emmanuel Eboue score his goal. A blown Porto corner saw the ball deflected up field, where Arshavin collected, seemingly set to run the whole length of the pitch alone… but all of a sudden, here comes Eboue, simply flying up the center of the pitch in support. Andrey once again took the opportunity to orchestrate as he got past the defense and dropped an absolutely perfect pass in front of Eboue. He took a touch, rounded the keeper and slotted home past a sliding Porto defender. I… fucking… erupted. How I didn’t wake most of my neighbors is beyond me. And what does Eboue do? He trots over near the corner flag, all the while waving his teammates toward him to celebrate… Together... Victoria Concordia Crescit. And did they ever. He was simply covered by Arsenal players in both red & white and training gear alike. He then extricated himself from the throng, put a hand to the Arsenal crest on his shirt, then saluted the crowd. Class. Arséne Wenger forwent his usual downward-double-fist-pump-whilst-skipping celebration (which I have to say looks a bit gay) and simply burst upward out of his seat, fists pumping skyward and a massive grin on his face. had I not been watching a recording of the match, it is entirely possible that Wenger and I would have both been airborne at the same time. Interesting, that. Yet, I’ve never seen him react so fiercely to the successes of his team… perhaps a bit of vindication? I don’t know… but it was great to see. Watch it again.

I, like many others in the Arsenal universe, was calling for Eboue’s head not all that long ago. I am ever so glad that I didn’t get my wish. I don’t know what, why or how he’s done it… but Emmanuel Eboue has performed a complete turnaround from the darkened depths to which he descended last season. Dare I say that there are very few who could have returned from such, and I wouldn’t have bet a red cent that he would or could be one of them… but he is. And he has. And… it is good. Well done, Manu. Well done.

So now… onward to that shithole picturesque and tranquilly scenic Hull City, to face that angry orange fellow with the complexion of a worn leather belt Phil Brown and his poxy bunch of twats cheery band of fellows from up norf. They’re desperate to find some points, and they’ve probably got it in their minds that they’ve been able to get some off us before, so why not this time? It should make for a good match. Rest up, Gunners. Go north, and come home having first draped yourselves with tiger pelts.