Robin van Persie led the rout as Arsenal resumed normal service at the Emirates Stadium, with a thumping Champions League victory over Porto last night.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had demanded an emphatic response from his team following their shock 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat by Hull on Saturday - and they delivered in irresistible fashion.

Van Persie struck his first goals in European competition for a year, pouncing either side of the interval and displaying strength during a well-taken second.

Emmanuel Adebayor set up the opener for his strike partner and also helped himself to two, the second from the spot after Nicklas Bendtner had been hacked down by Fredy Guarin.

Sloppy finishing prevented Arsenal from further embarrassing the Portuguese champions, who defended shoddily and looked on the brink of collapse at times during the second half.

Theo Walcott has the first chance when, breaking fluidly from their own half, short passing from Persie, Fabregas and Adebayor saw the ball worked across the area to Walcott.

He was stationed on the right and had time to pick his shot, but a smart save from Da Silva Helton saw the effort palmed to safety.

Tomas Costa sped down the right wing and delivered a perfect cross to Cristian Rodriguez, whose diving header hit the ground before deflecting off the bar.

But the effort offered only temporary respite for Porto - who saw van Persie, Walcott and Adebayor miss half-chances.

Arsenal remained on top, however, and their perseverance was rewarded with a 30th-minute goal by van Persie.

Adebayor and van Persie combined expertly down the right of the area, creating space for the Togo marksman.

He looked up and delayed his pass to the van Persie, who prodded the ball home.

The Gunners surged further ahead with five minutes of the half remaining when Adebayor leapt above Jorge Rolando to head van Persie's corner towards the ground.

The ball bounced awkwardly for Helton and defender Nelson Benitez, who was stationed on the line - the duo watching as it sailed over their heads.

The second half was just three minutes old when Arsenal added to the score with a surprisingly easy third.

Walcott did the initial damage before the ball found its way to van Persie, who showed strength to fend off Bruno Alves and stab home.

Porto's defence was crumbling, and Walcott should have made it four but missed a sitter from four yards out.

The England forward's pace was proving a constant threat, however, as he marauded down the right wing at almost will.

Arsenal's fourth arrived when Bendtner, on for van Persie, was brought down by a clumsy tackle from Guarin.

Adebayor stepped up and smashed the penalty home to complete an easy night for the Gunners.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Walcott, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou, Bendtner, Eboue.

FC Porto: Helton, Sapunaru, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Benitez, Guarin, Costa, Fernando, Raul Meireles, Rodriguez, Lopez. Subs: Nuno, Pedro Emanuel, Stepanov, Lucho Gonzalez, Hulk, Lino, Candeias.

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)