"They [Porto] had to chase. My worry was that, as they did against Athletico they just were cautious and kept it tight, made sure they weren't going to lose a goal, but with us scoring that type of goal so early, it had them on the back foot in a way, and I don't think they really made any chances in the match," Alex Ferguson, Manchester United coach, said.

Arsenal 3-0 Villarreal CF

Villarreal, who came into the match without Marcus Sennaone – of their top players – never stood a chance at the Emirates stadium. The experienced Spaniards, led by former Highbury favourite, 35-year-old Robert Pires, were not fast enough to cope with the young and pacey Gunners – Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Cesc Fàbregas and Theo Walcott.

Arsenal opened the score after ten minutes. Eboué's through pass was back-heeled on by Cesc Fàbregas to send Theo Walcott clear on goal. The English international easily chipped the ball over Villarreal keeper Diego López, 1-0.

The Spanish team, who needed to score after a 1-1 draw at home, couldn’t create enough in front to trouble Arsenal substitute goalie Łukasz Fabiański, and conceded again after the break.

Another fast attacking effort saw Adebayor putting the ball into the far corner on 60 minutes, 2-0.

And Arsenal finished the guests off nine minutes later when Diego Godín brought Theo Walcott down in the box. Van Persie made it 3-0 from the spot, and Villarreal went a man down. Sebastián Eguren got his second yellow for arguing with the ref and was sent off.

The remaining 21 minutes were just a formality as Arsenal gunned their way to the semi-final against Man U – their principal Premier League rivals.

"Well I believe that both teams – Manchester United and Arsenal – is very exciting games, both teams like to go forward and so it will be a promising semi-final, we are up for the challenge, and it will be very interesting," Arsene Wenger, Arsenal Manager, said.