Arsenal 3 - 1 Hamburg

In the end it was the man who was the subject of my derision for most of the match, Emmanuel Eboue, who won the match for the Gunners, his 82nd minute goal proving the winner in a game that was much more difficult than it really should have been.

Robin van Persie’s 52nd minute strike leveled things for Arsenal after Van De Vaart’s 5th minute opener put Hamburg in the driver’s seat early.

A beautiful cross by Theo Walcott found the head of Julio Baptista for Arsenal’s third in the 87th minute to wrap up the three points.

Based on head to head, Arsenal are top of the group on 10 points. Porto also have 10 points, and will have all to play for when the Gunners visit Portugal in a fortnight’s time.

An already formidable challenge will be made all the more so by the abscence of Thierry Henry, who after collecting a yellow card tonight will be sitting out due to suspension.

A good win, but like I said, one that was much harder to get than it should have been.