Another week and another huge game for the Arsenal. This time it is in the Champions League as Arsenal try to overcome a 2-1 deficit and defeat Porto to move into the quarter-finals.
Arsenal will have to do it the difficult way, without inspirational leader Cesc Fabregas who will miss the game due to a hamstring injury, as well as William Gallas who will also miss the game due to a calf injury.
But the good news for Arsenal is that Sol Campbell has recovered from the groin problem that kept him out at the weekend, and with Arshavin, . But with Arshavin, Nasri and Walcott all fit, Arsene Wenger will have a good squad to pick from.
Arsene Wenger on the game:
“There’s always something new in our game so we can innovate and change history. The team has a good chance to make history. We are very young and in a strong position and, of course, we want to win. Scoring away from home is still a massive advantage under UEFA rules and that’s why we are confident we can do it.
In the first game, Porto defended well. I don’t think they will be ultra-defensive. We conceded unusual goals in the first game so we want a better defensive performance and we want to score goals. We know it’s a tricky game, as it always is in the Champions League against an opponent of Porto’s quality, but we believe we can do it. We are confident and are in a good position, so let’s go for it.”
Porto are not an easy team to beat, but I expect Arsenal’s speed and passing ability to be the deciding factor in the game. That away goal in Portugal by Sol Campbell was huge and ultimately I expect that to be the difference.
I am not that confident that Arsenal can shut Porto out, but I believe that they will create enough chances to go through. The only potential problem I see is that Arsenal spurns a lot of chances in front of goal and I hope that doesn’t come back to haunt them.
Prediction
Arsenal 3 Porto 1. Arsenal advances 4-3 on aggregate.
What is your prediction for the game?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
We tend to do things the hard way so I see it as Arsenal 1- Porto 0 and we win on the away goal rule.
I like how Wenger has seen the potentiality and importance of Samir Nasri taking Cesc’s place at the mid field, I predict a clean 2 – 0 at home.
Come on U GUNNERS. 3 zero to the reds. Porto rubbed us in the first leg. There will be no hidding place 4 them tonight. OPERATION NO MERCY
arsenal 3 porto 0
Porto have vowed they will not change their attacking style for Tuesday’s crunch clash with Arsenal. But, for Gunners they need only a goal and make sure not conceded any to proceed.
Arsenal are without key players Fabregas and Van Persie. By looking on the above concerns, it seems not a good idea to support Arsenal but the Gunners have won all the Champion League matches at Emirates stadium. I can see their home spirit and high motivation from London’s supporters. Arsenal will go… with a goal!
Come Tuesday evening, Arsenal will goon their way past Porto. No problem about that.
I predict a comfortable arsenal victory, if only for the fact that Fabianski will not be on the pitch. I think it is safe to assume that he can’t be credited with any own goals, should he be kept very very far away.
While I predicted a comfortable victory, I definitely did not forsee Porto being routed 5-0. That was the arsenal I have missed for a while. Just an onslaught of attacks that continues to find the back of the net.