FAST DOWNLOAD
Arsenal were poor in the first-leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, losing 1-0 in Porto, but their current momentum suggests the Gunners can still qualify for the quarter-finals.
That achievement has escaped them since 2010, and they face a Porto team that frustrated them in the original match and is unlikely to play with any more ambition.
However, the Gunners’ have demonstrated their qualities by blowing sides away and grinding out victories in recent weeks, most recently Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford.
Kai Havertz scored the winner against the Bees and, with him playing arguably his best football since moving to England with Chelsea in 2020, he could prove to be the difference at the Emirates.
Gabriel Martinelli could miss out again after sustaining a deep cut to his foot in last Monday’s win over Sheffield United and reports over the weekend suggested he has required crutches.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is a doubt with a knock, while Jurrien Timber is still some way from fitness with a knee issue. However, there was good news on Saturday, with Oleksandr Zinchenko returning from a calf problem.
Porto defenders Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Marcano (both knee) are long-term absentees, but Zaidu’s fellow left-back Wendell is fit. Star striker Mehdi Taremi should also feature after missing the first leg with a thigh issue.
Former Real Madrid defender, Pepe, now 41 and a three-time winner of this competition with Los Blancos, is also expected to marshal the Dragons’ backline.
Arsenal won their three Group B home games without conceding, beating PSV Eindhoven (4-0), Sevilla (2-0) and Lens (6-0).
Porto won twice away from home in Group H, defeating Shakhtar Donetsk (3-1) and Antwerp (4-1) but lost 2-1 at Barcelona.
Sergio Conceicao’s side have lost just once in 2024, but that was also away from home, crashing 3-2 at Arouca in February and, while unbeaten at the Estádio do Dragão since November, they have lost four times on the road in that time.
Declan Rice’s goal against Brentford means he has scored or assisted six times in his last five league outings, while Havertz has netted in his last four in the league.
Porto produced a typical solid display in the first leg and are likely to employ a similar gameplan at the Emirates.
Conceicao was a brilliant winger during his playing days and has developed into an incredibly shrewd coach.
Porto are two-time winners of this competition, but fell at this stage last season and Arsenal should have too much class.
Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford included the requisite jeopardy to keep them sharp, while in goalscorers Rice and Havertz, they have two players in incredible form.
The German’s clever movement makes him especially dangerous and his ability to find space between Porto’s well-organised defensive lines could help him inspire his side.
