Still we can now re-group as far as the Champions League is concerned and with a bit of luck come 2007 the boss will have a fully fit squad to pick from for once.
Lehmann - 5 - Set the scene for his night early on when flapping at a cross that could have proven costly. He was also guilty of putting Eboue under pressure with some unusually poor distribution.
Eboue - 5 - Didn't look his most confident and didn't get forward like he usually does. He was also skinned by Quaresma on a couple of occasions as well as playing a dreadful suicidal ball from one flank to the other which Clichy had no chance with.
Toure - 6 - Mr reliable struggled tonight as all around him were making schoolboy errors. His night was summed up by one woeful free kick from 35 yards.
Djourou - 5 - Whilst it is good to see a young player look comfortable on the ball he also needs to learn not to try to much near his own box, he was caught out on a couple of occasions particularly when robbed by the outstanding Quaresma who saw another shot cannon off of the upright.
Clichy - 5 - Another to lose possession in dangerous areas & needlessly put us under pressure.
Hleb - 7 - Our most inventive player & involved in the few good pieces of football we produced. Also worked hard but another guilty of losing possession to easily.
Gilberto - 6 - Not at his fluent best but helped out the back four which was no easy task.
Flamini - 6 - Received the ball in our most promising positions but wasted it, had our best effort when his shot was deflected away for a corner late on in the first half.
Ljungberg - 6 - Seriously lacking pace these days. Did show his experience in trying to hold the ball when the team needed it.
Fabregas - 7 - Did some great things but was also guilty of wayward passing, Linked up well with Hleb to create our best moments.
Adebayor - 6 - Worked tirelessly as our lone striker but tried a couple of back heels when all we wanted tonight was the easy ball. (Van Persie 79).
Subs:
Van Persie - 3 - (79) Unbelievably he hardly got a touch, which is quite incredible as he came on during a period in the game where Porto & Arsenal joined forces in a dual training session of keep ball!
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Senderos, Baptista, Aliadiere, Hoyte, Walcott.