Arsenal-Porto: "Tonight, I'm Going To Be Thierry Henry!"

As we speak, Nicklas Bendtner will be feeling on top of the world. Not that this isn't usually the case, for the Big Dane's ultra-confidence and super-cool demeanour precede him wherever he goes!

And this is what makes him the player he is, and this Arsenal side the team that it is.

Written off and dumbed down several times over from various quarters, the team seem to have always found what it takes to pick themselves up marvellously from adversity; quite impressive for a team lacking in mental strength and the knack for a battle. Apparently.

The same goes for Bendtner, who, after a quite shocking sequence of misses at the weekend, brushed aside all the frustration and, more importantly, the stinging criticism, firing in a mesmerising hat-trick to propel us into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Admittedly, and despite my very own contribution to the barrage of stick that Bendtner will have received, one thing that has never been in doubt; an issue that I have praised in him time and time again, is his steadfast determination, commitment, and absolute confidence in his ability, all in stark contrast to a certain striker amongst our ranks previously (*cough* Adebayor *cough*).

And with those attributes, supplemented terrifically with a Henry-esque finishing touch, he shut us all up on Tuesday night.

But this was not just about Nicklas Bendtner —not one bit. This was a near-perfect performance in all areas of the pitch, this despite the absence of the talismanic Cesc. As he watched on from the deck, Almunia looking surprisingly assured and unflappable, the defence more than held their own (despite one or two hairy moments at 2-0, and with Sol Campbell struggling to come to terms with the pace of Porto's front men early on).

As for the midfield and up front, well, this was a show akin of many a typical Wengeristic footy show. Speed, creativity, penetration, it was all on the menu, as Porto struggled to keep up with wave after wave of attack right from the off.

It really was no surprise that the tie was practically over midway through the first half with Nicklas Bendtner 's brace, rendering the first leg deficit irrelevant, and making a mockery of Arsenal's supposed inability to win a European tie having been behind going into the return fixture.

Bendtner might've grabbed the half-time headlines, but he (and we) have the likes of Samir Nasri , Tomas Rosicky , and Andrey Arshavin to thank for a virtuoso display of flair and guile. Discussing the latter's credentials with my brother, Samer; we both agreed that the little Russian's genius, while undoubted, was frustratingly patchy, with his mood a telling determinant of his performances.

Well there was no doubting Arshavin's mood on Tuesday night. Raring to go and fleet-footed right from the first whistle, he was directly responsible for the 2-0 cushion at half-time, and was a constant thorn in the side of Jorge Fucilo, Porto's irate right-back.

And if those two goals weren't classy enough, then look no further than the moment of brilliance that clinched the tie in our favour.

Supposedly taking on the "Cesc role," Samir Nasri showed us a sample of his very own magic, weaving his way through three Porto players from a seemingly perilous position down the right flank, before unleashing an unstoppable shot across goal and into the far corner. Game over. Party time.

Not for Arsène Wenger , though, who took it upon himself to wait another 80 seconds or so for a breakaway fourth courtesy of Eboué; before kicking off celebrations in earnest with a dodgy hip-hop routine; a sequel to the questionable "jig" a la Villareal last season, if you like.

There is no denying that as good a performance as this was all round; definitely much better than the struggles to put the game to bed against Burnley anyway, Porto are by no means the strongest team we will meet in the competition.

And with all eight quarter finalists set to be of the highest calibre, we must transform this attacking verve into realisation against the proper sides left in the latter stages, whilst at the same time, doing our utmost best to wipe out the defensive naivety seen against Manchester United and Chelsea domestically this term.

Indeed, with the most chilling prospect of meeting one of the aforementioned English sides in the last eight, and despite Wenger's insistence that this would not be a problem, we all know that this is one pitfall best avoided, at least for as long as possible.

Of course, we will now only go and draw one in the quarters and the other in the semis should we make it through!

For now, though, it is a job very well done, with the focus back on domestic matters with a true banana-skin at Hull awaiting us.

Oh, and more of that Stars in their eyes Thierry Henry rendition please Nick. A few more of these, and you really will be your very own super Nicklas Bendtner !