FC Porto V Arsenal
Football : UEFA Champions League
Wednesday 17th February 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

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The knock-out phase of the UEFA Champions League begins, as Arsenal will be looking to continue their recent habit of advancing past the first round at the expense of 2004 champions FC Porto.

FC Porto (Portugal)

2004 champions Porto come into this big match at their Dragao stadium on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Leixoes. Leixoes lie 2nd from bottom and managed to hold on for a precious point against a Porto side fighting to catch up with leaders Benfica, who lead them by 9 points.

Having said that, Porto have only lost once at home in all competitions this season, to Chelsea. In last years group stages, they managed to beat Arsenal 2-0, but then that was a much weaker Arsenal side that was in crisis, in my opinion.

This year, Porto are weaker than the other sides Arsenal could have faced, namely Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

In addition, Arsenal will come in with more rest and will not take this team lightly, given the recent losses to good counter-attacking sides. The greatest threat posed by Porto is their ability to exploit the role of underdog and scoring on the break.

Arsenal (England)

With a week to forget behind them, the 2006 finalists will come into this game well rested and renewed self-belief, having atoned for their heavy losses to Chelsea and Manchester United with a hard fought 1-0 victory away to Liverpool. After a defensive disaster, picking up a clean sheet was very important before heading out into Europe and will only help bring out a more confident display from the defence.

Arsenal have been hampered all season by injuries to top players. Long time victim Persie remains out, and will be joined by William Gallas. Luckily, veteran Sol Campbell will fill in alongside hard as nails Belgian Vermaelen. Arshavin and Alex Song, who has been a tremendous workhorse for the club all season, both picked up knocks against Liverpool.

Both players had scans before the team left London and it seems Arshavin will miss the match before hopefully returning on Saturday. Eduardo, was meant to travel, but it turns out he hasn't.

Arsenal's lack of strikers in the last few games has been well documented and this match will see pressure on Walcott and Bendtner to do the business.

They should be helped by the return of Rosicky in place of Arshavin, who along with Cesc will try and feed the ball to the young but pacy forwards.

With Vela, Nasri and Diaby all included, Arsenal have a fair few places from which to score goals. Cesc might be worth a punt as first goalscorer @ 11.00 (Bet365)


GOONER ADDS : Latest Arsenal Injury News :
Arsenal have travelled to Porto without a host of first-teamers ahead of their Champions League game on Wednesday.

Andrey Arshavin misses out because of a hamstring strain, the same injury that prevents Eduardo from travelling, while William Gallas (back) is also left out.

Manuel Almunia (finger) and Alex Song (knee) will not feature either, as they Robin van Persie on the sidelines.

The Betting Verdict

Porto are not the kind of side to play Arsenal the way United and Chelsea did.

Most other teams have been cautious against the north Londoners and paid the price for it eventually, sometimes despite holding an early lead.

Porto will be playing to avoid being beaten, attempting to keep a clean sheet and trying to get through the tie either via an unlikely win at the Emirates, or an away goal. This is a dangerous strategy against a team like Arsenal, who will pile on the pressure from the get go.

Even when down, Arsenal are dangerous, but if they get the early goal they will no doubt set out to score, it will be game over as the Portugese side gets hit on the break trying to equalise.

The Statistics :

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Arsenal to qualify over 2 legs @ 1.42 (PaddyPower)

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Arsenal AH(0) @ 2.02 (Bet365)