bwin Sportsblog - Football - Did Arsenal deserve 5-0?

Anyone who watches Arsenal these days are amazed at their flowing football and their movement. They are without doubt the best team to watch in the Premier League and it is no surprise that they have such a following on the continent. But even though they beat Porto 5-0 last night and 6-2 on aggregate to reach the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League, there were rocky moments in the Arsenal defence that highlights why they buckle against top sides. Several of the goals that Porto conceded would not have been conceded by Premier League opposition including the stunning individual goal by Samir Nasri. Despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 on aggregate, there was a very nervous 15-20 minutes during the early stages of the second half where Porto could have easily scored. Defensive lapses of concentration that would have been punished by the very best. Arsenal are still not at the level of teams like Man United, Chelsea and Barcelona. This is why Arsene Wenger stated that the Premier League could be Arsenal's best chance of silverware this season as they don't have to play anymore top sides. Porto were never strong enough to win the tournament and neither were Fiorentina who depsite beating Bayern Munich on the night,went out on the away goals rule. It is difficult to see the winners of this competition coming from outside the big six which are Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid and the two Milan clubs. Personally I think that Barcelona may be the first team ever to retain the Champions League in its current capacity and they have been my favourites since day one. They will surely get the result against Stuttgart after drawing 1-1 in Germany. Although two of my "big six" are certain to be eliminated in the last 16 stage as they play each other and Real Madrid have an awkward 1-0 deficit to overcome against Lyon.