Champions League: Arsenal vs FC Porto preview, likely lineups, prediction

Arsenal will host FC Porto in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday as Mikel Arteta’s troops aim to overcome a one-goal deficit.

Galeno’s stoppage-time strike put the Gunners one goal behind three weeks ago in Porto and the Gunners would need to produce something special to break the visitors’ defense led by veteran centre-back Pepe.

While Arsenal have been performing up to the mark domestically since their defeat in Portugal, they would need to go to an extra mile to emerge winners in the Champions League as Porto, just like them, is doing great in the league, although they are seven points behind table-toppers Sporting Lisbon.

Arteta is likely to be without Gabriel Martinelli, one of Arsenal’s most important players, as the Brazilian sustained a foot injury last week but hasn’t trained with the team and is expected to remain on the sidelines.

On the other hand, Porto will not make many changes in the side that downed the Gunners in the first leg. Although they will be without Mehdi Taremi, who is out due to a knee injury along with long-term absentees Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi.

Despite winning the title under the leadership of ex-manager Jose Mourinho in 2004, FC Porto, in 22 attempts, have never won a European game on England soil. They have also never won both legs of a knockout match. However, they are aware that even a draw at the Emirates Stadium would be enough to get them to the next round.

Arsenal have won all three of their home encounters against the Portuguese side with a staggering aggregate scoreline of 11-0.

Predicted lineups

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Jorginho; Saka, Havertz, Trossard

Porto: Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell; Varela. Nico Gonzalez, Pepê; Francisco Conceicao, Evanilson, Galeno

Prediction:

While it is going to be an easy encounter, both teams are expected to fight till the very last moment, Porto, courtesy of their strong defense, will once again emerge triumphant.

Prediction: Arsenal 0-1 Porto