Gallas backs Gunners for honours

Arsenal FC defender William Gallas was delighted with the London club's performance against FC Porto in UEFA Champions League Group G on Tuesday, claiming that "patience and determination" were the key to an impressive 2-0 win.

Commanding performance
Last season's finalists struggled to impose themselves early on but gradually got into their stride, and goals either side of the interval from Thierry Henry and Aleksandr Hleb ended the visitors' challenge. Gallas, who turned in another commanding defensive performance, expressed his relief at the victory. "We knew it wouldn't be easy and we knew they'd come at us because they need the points," the France international told uefa.com. "But we were patient and determined. We defended well when we needed to and when we increased the tempo we got the two goals."

'A good start'
Arsenal are now in a strong position after winning their opening two group matches, and Gallas is confident there will be more victories to come. "It's a good start," he said. "We try and win every game and so far we've won away and we've won at home. We'll try to win the next game as well. We've got a team capable of winning every match and that's why we are positive. The great thing about this team is that we are able to score at any time."

'The new Henry'
The opening goal on 38 minutes was virtually a carbon copy of Henry's strike against Sheffield United FC three days earlier, as the Frenchman rose to head in a right-wing centre from Emmanuel Eboué. Henry may not be renowned for his aerial prowess, but a grinning Gallas said: "Thierry's very good in the air. Before he didn't score many headers but this season he's changed. You could say this is the new Thierry Henry. Seriously, I feel like he's really coming into form now and, for us, it's reassuring to see our captain scoring goals."

Popular figure
Gallas played a major role in Arsenal's second goal three minutes after the break, springing out of defence and helping set up Hleb. Already a popular figure with the Arsenal fans, the former Chelsea FC defender appears to be relishing life in north London. "I'm happy with the way things are going, particularly because Arsenal are winning matches," said Gallas, who played in his preferred central role against Porto for the first time due to an injury to Johan Djourou.

Hamstring injury
A positive night was marred only in the dying moments when Gallas hobbled off although the 29-year-old does not believe the injury is serious: "I felt the hamstring tighten and didn't want to take any risks. It doesn't feel too bad."