Arsenal face an uphill task in the Champions League as they look to overcome a one goal lead against Porto to advance to the quarter-finals, so let’s take a look at the latest team news.
The Gunners go into this important clash as the Premier League leaders owing to the favourable results over the weekend. That is sure to give them a lot of confidence ahead of what is sure to be a tough, bruising game.
Gabriel Martinelli didn’t make the matchday squad on Saturday, as the winger is recovering from a cut on his leg. However, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Brazilian could yet feature although it would be touch and go. Takehiro Tomiyasu is back in training and might get involved in some capacity.
Apart from them, the only real absentee is Jurrien Timber who is back in full training but could be some way away from making a comeback to the squad.
Arsenal Fever View:
For the north Londoners, the equation is quite simple, they need to score goals and they might need a few of them. The last-minute winner in the first leg was a hammer blow but the team should not let that get them down.
They have more than enough talent to get the better of the Portuguese giants. Backed by a raucous home crowd, the north Londoners in all likelihood will advance to the next round. But in a competition such as this, there are no guarantees.
A lot of the onus will fall on the shoulders of Martin Odegaard who was kept quiet in the first leg thanks to diligent marking and defending from Porto. They will try to limit the captain’s influence but the likes of Jorginho and Declan Rice can help circumvent this, it will give the hosts a great platform to win.
Arsenal have found themselves in this kind of a position in the past and have shown that they can turn things around. A performance for the ages will be needed to reach the quarterfinals. If they can do that, nothing can stop them from going further in the competition.
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