UCL RO16: FC Porto Vs Arsenal Preview, Team News and Prediction

February 20, 2024
Ankit Chakraborty
Sports
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Arsenal will fly to Porto on Wednesday evening for the first leg of their last-16 match against Porto, bringing an end to a seven-year hiatus from the Champions League knockout rounds.

The Gunners won Group B, reuniting with Sergio Conceicao’s club, which advanced to the knockout rounds by finishing second in Group H behind Barcelona. With Benfica and Braga compelled to proceed with their continental campaigns in the Europa League after finishing third in the Champions League group stage, Porto is the only Portuguese team remaining in Europe’s elite competition, reaching the elimination rounds for the sixth time in seven seasons. Group H generally followed script, with Porto finishing second behind Barcelona.

FC Porto stadium — Image Source: Arsenal FC Website

Conceicao’s club hosts Arsenal on a 10-game unbeaten streak across all tournaments at the Estadio do Dragao, most recently defeating Estrela Amadora 2-0 in Saturday’s Primeira Liga match, which saw the Dragons keep their fifth consecutive clean sheet at home. Porto‘s defence has only been breached five times during their 10-match unbeaten record in front of their own fans, but a ruthless Arsenal scored an equal number of goals in 90 minutes against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal fans have celebrated 21 goals in five Premier League games since returning from a highly beneficial Dubai training camp, and the possibility of an unexpected top-flight and Champions League double remains alive for Mikel Arteta’s squad, who returned to the Champions League with a bang. Despite facing Sevilla, Lens, and PSV Eindhoven, the Gunners finished first with a game to spare, surrendering only four goals in six games. Only Real Sociedad (two) qualified for the last 16 with a better defensive record.

The Gunners previously reached the quarter-finals in the 2009-10 season, due to a 6-2 aggregate demolition of Porto in the last 16, although they are still looking for their first away win over the Portuguese powerhouses.

FC Porto Team News

Porto’s victory over Estrela at the weekend was not quite ideal for Conceicao, as left-back Zaidu Sanusi was carried out in the 32nd minute with a total anterior cruciate ligament tear, leaving the Nigerian out for the rest of the season.

Sanusi is one of two Dragons defenders suffering ACL injuries – Ivan Marcano has a minimal chance of returning before the end of the season – and Conceicao should rely on Jorge Sanchez to join the hosts’ defensive shield, which still includes 40-year-old veteran Pepé.

The availability of midfield fulcrum Stephen Eustaquio is also uncertain after the Canadian missed the recent victory over Estrela, but Alan Varela recovered from pain to play the entire 90 minutes.

Mehdi Taremi, who is expected to join Inter Milan on a free transfer this summer, has been ruled out with an adductor problem, therefore Evanilson, who has four goals in five group-stage games and 19 total for the 2023-24 season, will lead the line.

Arsenal Team News

In terms of Arsenal, Emile Smith Rowe returned from an ankle injury in time to make the bench against Burnley, but none of Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), or Takehiro Tomiyasu (knock) were cleared to play and remain uncertain.

Jurrien Timber is also recovering from an ACL injury, but he has been selected to the Gunners’ knockout round squad, while Thomas Partey (thigh) and Fabio Vieira (groyne) are on their way back after procedures.

Vieira may face his previous club, but any participation for the Portuguese will almost certainly come from the bench, as Arteta has no reason to change his in-form XI.