Arsenal will hope to turn a one-goal deficit when they host Porto in the UEFA Champions League. Galeno’s incredible last-minute goal put an end to Mikel Arteta’s team just as they were about to salvage a respectable goalless draw from the first meeting.
Preview (Arsenal vs. Porto)
Before the first leg of their last-16 matchup with Porto, whose final Champions League group game saw them ship five goals to Barcelona, the Gunners hit West Ham United for six and put five past Burnley without reply. It seemed as though there would be no stopping the goalscoring Arsenal juggernaut. But because Arteta’s team gave up unnecessary fouls—even though they were quite soft. It was ignorance right before the end, Porto took advantage of the situation. Sergio Conceicao’s team scored a spectacular goal when Galeno’s long-range curler into the bottom corner.
Arsenal’s departure from the Estadio do Dragao was uncharacteristically toothless. They hadn’t accomplished that undesirable feat in the Champions League since 2011. However, Arteta received the response he was hoping for from his team. They awoke on Sunday comfortably atop the Premier League standings. Arsenal regained their position for the first time since December after three straight victories over Sheffield United, Newcastle United, and Brentford—the latter thanks to a header from Kai Havertz in the 86th minute. However, Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City means that, with ten games left. The Gunners are still looking down on the other 19 teams.
As he puts his feet up to watch the tantalizing Anfield match, Arteta searches for the magic formula. It will keep Arsenal from losing in the Champions League to the final 16 for the eighth time in a row. During the autumn, the Spaniard saw his team win all three of their group matches, scoring 12 goals and giving up none. That is still the most recent time the Gunners have advanced to the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition. They aim to prevent history from repeating itself on the grounds of North London.
Team News
After Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United by six goals, Gabriel Martinelli suffered a serious cut to his foot. The Brazilian’s chances of making a comeback in time for Tuesday appear to have diminished. He was spotted visiting the Emirates on crutches over the weekend. While Julien Timber is still many weeks away from returning from an ACL injury, Takehiro Tomiyasu (knock) is still a serious doubt. However, the Gunners were encouraged by Alexander Zinchenko’s comeback from a calf issue against Brentford. After seeing on helplessly during the match against his parent club, David Raya may now take Aaron Ramsdale’s spot in goal. Ramsdale made a mistake in the first half that led to Brentford’s equalizer. He made up for it with two fines.
In terms of Porto’s availability, Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi, two more defenders, are still recovering from ACL issues, while left-back Wendell has bounced back from the hit that saw him replaced at the end of the first leg. Porto supporters can celebrate one bit of good news on the injury front: star striker Mehdi Taremi is expected to play after missing the first leg due to a thigh problem. Gabriel Veron is also dealing with an Achilles ailment. To make room for Taremi’s return, however, Francisco Conceicao may have to be sacrificed. The 41-year-old veteran Pepe will once again lead the Porto defense, while Evanilson, a striker with 21 goals, is unstoppable.
Arsenal 2-0 Porto
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