“We know it’s a tricky game, as it always is in the Champions League against an opponent of Porto’s quality, but we believe we can do it. We are confident and are in a good position, so let’s go for it.”

I have to say in just a month Arsene has gone from a man who looked as though the cares of the world were resting heavily on his shoulders, to one exuding determination. Not confidence. Sheer determination. It is as if he is willing his charges to over-achieve in the two months that remain of the 2009-2010 season.

Yes, on 9th March, we have the opportunity to overturn a first-leg deficit of a European tie for the first time in thirty-two years (Willie Young, where are you!), and on 9th May, the curtain will come down on the Premiership campaign at home to Fulham. A fortnight later the Champions League will be resolved in Madrid.

There seems to be a suggestion in some quarters that the longer we are involved in both competitions then that can only be to the detriment of our challenge for both. The last thing we need, say the pessimistic, is to progress and risk another bad beating from one of our two rivals for the Premiership crown. I have to disagree, although that will surprise nobody I suspect.

I will accept that we do not want to be on the receiving end of a bad defeat in the Champions League. That, however starts at the Grove this week. An exit to Porto was not envisaged when the draw was made and we quietly celebrated avoiding some of Europe’s bigger guns. Failure to progress is not a prospect anybody will view in anything other than the dimmest of lights.

The fact that we are not going to risk the over-burdened hamstring of Cesc Fabregas in the critical clash with Porto is not a sign that this competition is expendable. It is a calculated gamble by Arsene to maximise the skipper’s availability for as many of the remaining games as possible. It is a sign of the belief he has in the balance of the squad that he trusts them to progress without the talismanic leader.

Alex Song, suspended domestically, is set to return to anchor the midfield. Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby gelled so well for an hour on Saturday that they will surely combine again. Behind them the most likely change is Sol Campbell for Silvestre, although Arsene faces an interesting choice between Emmanuel Eboue and Bacary Sagna.

The front three is the most difficult to predict. Ironically Nicklas Bendtner, so profligate against Burnley, is probably the only one guaranteed a start. Theo Walcott, fresh and at last showing signs of a return of confidence should hold down the right flank. That leaves a straight choice between Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin on the left. Either way there may be a lack of help for Gael Clichy in his contest with the infamous Hulk.

Do you believe in fate? The ‘holic pound seeks a topical return. Nicklas Bendtner is 11/2 at Coral to be the first goalscorer, and I am having some of that. Rumour has it he was seen emerging from a musical instrument emporium in Camden Passage clutching a new stringed instrument and looking for a bovine target to practice on.

I’m also having a few pence on 3-1 to the Arsenal which is an impressive 14/1 at Bet365. The oft-heralded ‘handbrake off’ is what I am confidently expecting from a side that may be short of a number of important players, but still looks balanced enough to rip the visitors apart having earned the right to play.

Only that left flank concerns me. (Plus the fact that we do not have a six foot two, ginger headed, Scots centre-half to volley the last minute winner as in 1978 against Hajduk Split while those of us on the Clock End that night prepared to spontaneously combust!)

Have a good one, ‘holics.