Van Persie leads Gunners to victory

Robin van Persie led the rout as Arsenal resumed normal service at the Emirates Stadium with a thumping 4-0 Champions League victory over Porto.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had demanded an emphatic response from his team following their shock 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat by Hull on Saturday - and they delivered in irresistible fashion.

Holland international van Persie struck his first goals in European competition for a year, pouncing either side of the interval and displaying strength during a well-taken second. Emmanuel Adebayor set up the opener for his strike partner and also helped himself to a brace, the second from the spot after Nicklas Bendtner had been hacked down by Freddy Guarin.

Sloppy finishing prevented Arsenal from further embarrassing the Portuguese champions, who defended shoddily and looked on the brink of collapse at times during the second half.

Theo Walcott was a constant menace, gleefully using the space he was given, but his finishing was not up to the same standard.

Early on, Cristian Rodriguez's header skimmed the crossbar, but the effort offered only temporary respite for Porto - who saw van Persie, Walcott and Adebayor miss half-chances.

Arsenal's perseverance was rewarded with a 30th-minute goal by van Persie. Adebayor and van Persie combined expertly down the right of the area, creating space for the Togo marksman. He looked up and delayed his pass to the van Persie, who prodded the ball home.

The Gunners surged further ahead with five minutes of the half remaining when Adebayor leapt above Jorge Rolando to head van Persie's corner towards the ground. The ball bounced awkwardly for Da Silva Helton and defender Nelson Benitez, who was stationed on the line - the duo watching as it sailed over their heads.

The second half was just three minutes old when Arsenal added to the score with a surprisingly easy third.Walcott did the initial damage before the ball found its way to van Persie, who showed strength to fend off Bruno Alves and stab home.

Arsenal's fourth arrived when Bendtner, on for van Persie, was brought down by a clumsy tackle from Guarin. Adebayor stepped up and smashed the penalty home to complete an easy night for the Gunners.