HD,
Now that is interesting. Yesterday seems to have been an exception as most, if not all, inbound A380 flights crossed the 09L approach.
EK1, for example, sneaked across between the inbound United 787 and a BA A319. The B787 had come from the Ockham hold and had crossed the 09R approach (as is normal), while the Emirates A380 came from the north.
Later, BA flights BA268 & BA282 also approached from north of the airport and crossed the 09L approach, as did MH4.
What was interesting was the view of the BA 282 as it passed about 1 mile to the west of I was stood with the rest of the "ooh aah" crowd on the Terminal 5 spur.
Regardless of all that, it is nice to know there is at least a temporary valid reason for the choice of 09R!