Official Porto-Arsenal lineups: the Gunners have not made it past the round of 16 since the 2009-10 season. Even then they had to contend with the Lusitanians.
Arsenal after a long absence re-entered Europe that counts this year, and so far everything has gone smoothly for the Londoners. In the group stage Mikel Arteta’s men, facilitated by a far from impossible draw, took no major risks, winning their group with 15 points ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla. And in the round of 16 they will have to contend with hostile Porto, a team that is now experienced at this level and has tripped up several big names in the past.
The Gunners landed in Portugal in high spirits: overcoming the tarnished moment they had between Christmas and New Year, Arsenal has racked up five consecutive victories, allowing them to stay attached to Liverpool and Manchester City, the other two big favorites for the title. Arteta has rediscovered his attack, capable of scoring 14 goals in the last three games (Liverpool, West Ham and Burnley). Porto, on the other hand, seems less strong than in recent seasons: in the Champions League they have not done badly, qualifying for the knockout stage as runners-up behind Barcelona, but in the Liga de Portugal they are only third, so far out of the title race, which is confined to the two Lisbon clubs, Benfica and Sporting. A curiosity: Arsenal has not made it past the round of 16 of the cup with the big ears since the 2009-10 season, that of Inter’s Triplete. The Gunners at this point in the competition eliminated Porto itself with an aggregate score of 6-2.
PORT (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell; Gonzalez, Varela; Conceicao, Pepé, Galeno; Evanilson.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Official lineups Porto-Arsenal, the scorer prediction
Three goals and four assists in this Champions League: is it enough to spend a token on him? In our opinion, yes. Bukayo Saka is so far Arsenal’s best player in the cup with big ears and he was only dry (of goals and assists) in the away match in Seville. There is a good chance that the talent churned out of the Gunners’ youth ranks will repeat himself at the do Dragao: his tears will be quite a problem for Sergio Conceiçao’s team. Watch also for Trossard, fully comfortable in the role of false nueve in the trident.
Official Porto-Arsenal lineups, likely cautions and shooters
Porto will have to do without its slinger, Mehdi Taremi, stopped by an adductor problem. Up front will be Evanilson: the Brazilian should make himself dangerous on at least one occasion, as well as the son of the art Conceiçao, back home after a forgettable experience at Ajax. In Arsenal, on the other hand, watch out for Havertz, who can also create danger while playing as a wing-half. At risk of yellow is fullback Wendell, among the Dragoes’ most foul-mouthed players. Among the Gunners, fullback White could receive a card: already six yellows in the Premier League for the Londoners’ right-back.