Porto vs Arsenal: Champions League Last-16 Clash – Gunners Aim to Maintain Impressive Form
Arsenal is gearing up for an exciting clash against Portuguese giants Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Gunners have been in superb form recently, winning their last five games and scoring an impressive 21 goals. Their attacking prowess was on full display in their last two matches, where they managed to score a staggering 11 goals.
Currently flying high in the Premier League, Arsenal sits just two points behind league leaders Liverpool. The team has been consistent both domestically and in Europe this season. They booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League by finishing top of Group B with an impressive 13 points from a possible 18.
On the other hand, Porto secured their place in the last-16 as runners-up to Barcelona in Group H. However, the Portuguese giants have had a relatively underwhelming season domestically, currently sitting in third place in Liga Portugal. They will be looking to make a statement in this crucial Champions League clash.
The match will take place on Wednesday, February 21 at the Estadio do Dragao. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm. Fans can catch all the action live on TNT Sports 1 or stream it on discovery+. SunSport will also provide a live blog for those wanting to stay updated on the game.
In terms of team news, Porto will be without centre-back Zaidu Sanusi, who sustained a serious injury in his first game back from Afcon. Meanwhile, striker Mehdi Taremi could return to the starting lineup after being left on the bench in their previous match against Estrela da Amadora. There are also reports that Taremi has agreed to join Inter Milan on a free transfer this summer, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his performance.
For Arsenal, Fabio Vieira could make a return to action after undergoing surgery. It will be a special moment for Vieira, as he faces his former side in his home country. On the injury front, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, and Takehiro Tomiyasu could all feature for Porto after recovering from their respective layoffs. However, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, and Jurrien Timber will all remain sidelined for Arsenal.
As for the odds, Ladbrokes currently has Porto at 21/5 for a victory, while a draw stands at 27/10. Arsenal is the favorite with odds of 4/6. These odds are correct at the time of publication and may vary closer to the match.
Both teams will be looking to secure a positive result in the first leg to give themselves an advantage heading into the second leg. With Arsenal’s impressive form and Porto’s desire to prove themselves, this promises to be an exciting and closely contested clash in the Champions League last-16. Football fans around the world will be eagerly watching as these two teams battle it out for a spot in the quarter-finals.