Henry the hero as Gunners sink Porto

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry lines up a corner kick while playing FC Porto during their group G Champions league match at Emirates Stadium in north London. Arsenal won the match 2-0.

Thierry Henry led by example as Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 Champions League win against Porto.

The Arsenal captain was at his effervescent best as he scored the first goal and laid on the second for Alexander Hleb to ensure Arsene Wenger's side stayed top of Group G with a 100 percent record.

The north London club, who were beaten finalists last season, are beginning to hit their stride after a slow start to the season and have now reeled off four successive wins in all competitions.

Wenger, who celebrates ten years in charge of Arsenal on Thursday, was forced into a late change with Justin Hoyte replacing Johan Djourou after the Swiss defender aggravated a foot injury in the pre-match warm-up.

Arsenal started brightly despite that setback and Robin van Persie forced Helton into action with a fierce long-range effort that the Porto goalkeeper turned away for a corner.

Freddie Ljungberg (R) of Arsenal vies for the ball with Bosingwa of FC Porto during their group G Champions league match at Emirates Stadium in north London. Arsenal won the match 2-0.

The Gunners thought they had the lead from the resulting set-piece when Gilberto Silva's header was hooked back from the touchline by Cesc Fabregas.

Kolo Toure pounced to beat Helton from close range but the referees assistant signalled that the ball had gone out of play before Fabregas made contact.

Portos Brazilian midfielder Anderson is regarded as one of the best young players in Europe and the 18-year-old has already attracted interest from Barcelona and Chelsea.

Anderson gave a glimpse of his precocious talent in the 15th minute with a perfectly-placed corner which picked out Lucho Gonzalez at the near post, but his shot was blocked by Jens Lehmann with his legs.

Robin van Persie (R) of Arsenal vies for the ball with Bosingwa of FC Porto during their group G Champions league match at Emirates Stadium in north London. Arsenal won the match 2-0.

Wengers frustration at that anxious moment was clear when he leapt from the bench to chastise Italian referee Stefano Farina for awarding a foul against Tomas Rosicky.

As if sensing his managers desire to raise the tempo, Henry finally came to life and surged through the Porto defence before producing a slide-rule pass to pick out van Persie.

The Dutch striker was in yards of space on the right of the penalty area but made a complete hash of a glorious chance as he lashed his shot well over.

Van Persie was denied by Helton soon afterwards as Arsenal began to move through the gears and they took the lead with a simple, yet stunning, goal in the 38th minute.

Emmanuel Eboue made a powerful run down the right and whipped in a superb cross towards Henry, who got behind Pepe to direct his header back past Helton into the far corner.

Henry turned provider three minutes after the break as Arsenal doubled their lead with another clinically taken goal.

Arsenal goal scorer captain Thierry Henry (R) and Alexander Hleb (L) celebrate their team's second goal against FC Porto during their group G Champions league match at Emirates Stadium in north London. Arsenal won 2-0.

Arsenal defender William Gallas, who had scored his first goal for the club on Saturday, loves to break forward when the opportunity arises and the Frenchman embarked on one of his trademark runs in the 48th minute.

Gallas dribbled past three defenders before laying the ball off to Henry, who looked up and flicked a pass to the unmarked Hleb.

The Belarus winger had plenty of time to pick his spot and drilled a low shot past Helton from just inside the penalty area for his first goal of the season.

Porto, who won the Champions League in 2004, did the Portuguese league and cup double last season but Jesualdo Ferreiras side were unable to contain Arsenals fluid passing and movement.

They never threatened to get back into the match and, after only drawing their opening fixture against CSKA Moscow, will have to improve dramatically to avoid a repeat of last seasons group stage exit.