Two hours or so inland from the city of Porto lies the northeastern Portuguese province of Trás-os-Montes, or Behind the Hills. I drove that route nearly 30 years ago but recalled it this week because Arsenal will have been working on some clever ways of getting in behind the Porto defenders to prevent a recurrence of the away leg when they failed to score a solitary goal.
In that first leg, played in Porto on February 21st, the home side scored in the last minute of stoppage time to take a one goal lead coming into Tuesday night’s deciding game in the Champions League Round of 16. Arsenal struggled to create many attacking opportunities, and the laissez faire referee allowed Porto to frustrate the Gunners with a nearly constant stream of borderline fouls. The match was Arsenal’s most difficult and disjointed of 2024 to date, but the one goal deficit leaves the Gunners in decent position to score a come-from-behind victory and advance to the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2010.
Mikel Arteta set the stage in his pre-match presser, saying “You can’t wait in these situations, you have to go and make things happen and that’s the approach tomorrow.” He added, “Now we know (Porto) a bit better. We have played these kind of games many times in the Premier League, we played one two days ago.”
We know that Brentford, who Arsenal defeated over the weekend, were taking a page from the Porto playbook, attempting to prevent Arsenal from playing their free-flowing football. We also know that Arsenal figured out a way to score two goals in that game, and should have had at least one penalty if the referee had gone by the rule against yanking on an opponent’s shirt in the penalty area and pulling them to the ground, so assuming that Porto play similarly (or even if they don’t) the Gunners should be in with a decent shout of overturning their deficit.
Porto
Porto is the most decorated Portuguese team in Europe with seven trophies won, including the 2004 Champions League and the 1987 European Cup. As one of the big three clubs of Portugal, Porto have been regular participants in UEFA competitions. They have qualified for European competition in every season since 1974–75, and share second place in the total number of Champions League group stage appearances with Bayern Munich, one less than Barcelona and Real Madrid. Porto are third in the Primeira Liga table with 55 points, trailing Sporting by four points, but sport the league’s stingiest defence having conceded only 17 times, three fewer than the next stingiest club, second placed Benfica. They last played on Thursday when they defeated Portimonense away by 3-0 in the southern beach town of Portimão.
Arsenal
In the first leg Arsenal had no attempts on target and their last minute sloppiness put them in something of a hole when a draw was looking a certainly. But many a Premier League side has tried to stop them from scoring multiple goals in the last two months and none has succeeded so they have reason to feel confident. But they need to defend staunchly for 90 minutes and every second of time added on.
At left back Zinchenko is back from injury having come off the bench against Brentford, and he is probably the better choice for this match, to deliver some smart balls in behind the defense, although Kiwior has been very good recently as a more traditional left back. Gabriel Jesus also made a successful return recently, but Gabriel Martinelli remains out with a cut foot, so the starting team should look something like this:
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko
Odegaard – Rice – Havertz
Saka – Jesus – Trossard
The ‘holic pound
It’s our moment to shine. This is our home leg and we must play to our potential, and show the Portuguese as little hospitality as Arsenal received in the first leg, but I think we will manage to do all of those things. Arsenal 3 Porto 1 is my prediction, with Bukayo Saka getting in behind os defensores and scoring a late beauty to moot any consideration of extra time and penalties, and send Arsenal to march on to the quarterfinals. This young squad is due for just such a coming of age moment. If so, be sure you have emerged from behind the couch with two eyes open.
Have a good one, ‘holics.
Perfectly set up, bt8 and I like the very positive and optimistic vibe you convey. I wonder if MA8 may consider Partey fit enough to start in which case Havertz to the fore with Jesus on the left and Trossard on the bench in case an impact sub is required, may be an alternative set up.
I like the sound of your 3-1 home win. I’m hoping Porto don’t score and I’ll be happy with any margin that returns a quarter final place.
I too like your optimism Bt8 and enjoyed your excellent preview. A few weeks ago there was great concern about whether we could defeat Crystal Palace’s low block and I took an optimistic note . I feel very much the same again . Porto don’t travel well and in a similar situation about fifteen years ago we dismissed them 5-0 with TGSTEL notching a hat-trick on his way to the nightclub
We are a much better team now and though Porto are too we should have more than enough to beat them.
I think Jesus will replace Martinelli and Havertz will continue as a false 9 . I think Jorginho will start but Partey will be a handy option from the bench .Bt8’s Zinchenko suggestion makes sense at the outset when we are trying to make the game . I think we will overrun them as we did our other opposition at home in the competition. 3-0 to the Arsenal is my prediction . COYG !
Excellent preview, bt8. I tend to agree with TTG that we’ll see Jorginho, with Havertz at nominal 9 and Jesus wide, with Trossard coming on later. Those of us lucky enough to be going to the game are already primed to bring the noise and get on the referee’s back if he is inclined to allow them to fall about. On another note, the visitors won’t find the dry, bobbly pitch they produced for us in the away leg, and will be playing on a slick surface. In fact, given the rain in north London this morning, expected to hold up until early afternoon, they ought to consider coming to the ground by canoe rather than coach.
Cheers bt8. I think a nervy 2-0 win with an early goal and a late goal. Or maybe a slightly healthier 3-0.
Agree with both gentlemen above on the line-up.
I won’t be seeing the match, so I will be trying to forget, and then nervously check my phone at the end of the gig (if timing is the usual, the second half will still be ongoing, but at this venue it sometimes ends a touch later, though perhaps not on a weekday).
I too like your optimism, bt8 and also your opening geographical analogy. An uplifting read but I retain considerable anxiety about this game, probably as a consequence of the intensity with which I want us to progress in this competition. The reference to the hinterland of the couch is apt. However, I am pleased to learn that MA8 appears to be approaching the game with far more determination and far less trepidation.
Personally, I would select the team that TTG@2 identifies. I think Jorginho provides so much more tactical nous than Partey and combines so well with Rice and Ødegaard in our midfield that, if fit, he has to start. Havertz is on fire at the moment and must keep the ‘false 9’ role. Whether it is Zinchenko or Kiwior, or Jesús or Trossard who nominally start on our left flank will depend on fitness. I can’t predict the score but I do expect it to be a trial. I just hope the referee whom UEFA has selected knows his onions.
COYG
Thanks bt8
Porto team and management, as expected, saw nothing wrong with their behaviour in the first leg and are affronted that MK suggested otherwise.
We need to give them a spanking so 4-0 seems about right to me.
UTA.
Cheers bt8. Nice setup, and I agree with everyone that you’ve set the right tone. There is no guarantee we will go through tonight, but this team have given us more than enough reasons for optimism and Arteta has reminded all those going how much their vocal support helps. Personally, I’ll be hundreds of miles away, but looking to make my voice heard anyway!
I’m in agreement that I’d start Jorginho and Havertz, probably with Jesus on the left wing. But whatever Arteta does, I’m sure he’s got a plan that exploits whatever gaps he saw 3 weeks ago.
2-0 after 85 mins, and either a scrappy last few minutes or a late goal to make it 3-0.
UTA!
I hope the team remembers we’re 1-0 down, because despite my ‘prediction’ covering all bases, my brain was still thinking we drew the first leg and only needed to win, not necessarily by two goals.
It’s only when GSD mentioned a scrappy last few minutes at 2-0 that I realised my unexpressed above mistake.
Mouthwatering preview bt8! Thank you.
It has been 14 years since we last played in CL QF. And frankly speaking, for a club of our stature our European record is a bit embarrassing, and sometimes unfortunately so. But the arc of progress in the last few years has been impressive enough to make us fans all dream about righting some of that history in their current journey. Some might say that this year has come too soon for us to be making a go for the trophy itself, but I feel that we are playing as well as any other team in Europe and there is no reason for the team to not dream about going to the CL final.
Porto are a tricky team, has always been, but our home record against them have been quite good over the years. With the vociferous crowd behind the team on their familiar pitch, with a typically blistering start we can create the kind of pressure that cracks the most streetwise of teams.
Your starting eleven is good, but I think Jorginho should start this game, and Jesus will play on the left. This would have been an ideal match for Martinelli, but the other Gabi has a very good record in Europe and has played on the left for both club and country. Rice and Havertz to keep their recently occupied left sided 8 and false nine roles, respectively.
Start fast, dominate, take early chances.
Come on Arsenal!
I see a strong consensus from the bar that we should start with Jorginho in our midfield, to give us his experience, stability, range of passing, and perhaps his knowledge of Portuguese(?) as well as other x-factors in his favor. Then I saw that none other than Blogs himself in his preview is thinking along the same lines: “I expect Jorginho to start in midfield. His experience in this competition could be important, not to mention how his presence in the middle allows Declan Rice to play higher up, and we spoke already this week about the goal contributions he’s been making. The latest, of course, was the opener against Brentford.”
So, big game Jorginho could be in the fold.
I love these previews and reports. If I were a Porto fan I’d be very concerned looking at our team. And the bench will be very strong. And it will be wet and windy and cold. Anyone lucky enough to be going?
A well-constructed preview, bt8. Your opening paragraph is delightfully deft. I doubt that this will be an easy game, but I share your optimism that we shall prevail. Two-nil (2-1 on aggregate) will be cutting it nervous-makingly fine, but it might be that sort of night. Jorghino to start, so Rice can play further forward and be a goal threat, is likely, which would mean a front three of Saka, Havertz and Jesus. The last two will interchange so frequently that it will not matter in which order they are written on the team sheet. The only question mark over Jorghino is how much Brentford took out of his legs on Saturday. I agree that Zinchenko will get the nod over Kiwior. The Ukranian seems better suited to European football and 40 games worth of CL experience should count for something. Yet let the record show that Kiwior has been playing very well.
Thanks bt8, much appreciate the preview.
It is a long time since we were in the last 8,
way too long and I really want this one.
I don’t care who or how or how many, just get
through. And also fuck Porto.
Great stuff, bt8 !
Only one bone of contention – I really don’t know what was “borderline” about Porto’s fouling in the first leg ..?
What is it about teams in stripes ? Porto, Brentford and Newcastle – all time wasting, anti-football, dirty bastards. Well, Mikel said “go for it” !
Interesting theory, Trev. Should be beat Porto, the number of teams in stripe in the next round is reduced to either Athletico or Inter, plus potentially Barça and PSV. If, however, we thing white stripes only need apply, the, let’s hope Inter gets through while PSV don’t beat Dortmund.
Cheers bt8, a well-thought and optimistic preview.
Recently we had difficulties beating teams like Porto since the Tony Adams/Viera days but now I feel we are well equipped to find a way through. We have a talented group of young players and they are focused, determined and never give up. We have a chance.
COYG
Get in Leo! Great goal and great time
to score
All a bit scrappy 2nd half, tense stuff
Bollocks to that
Very fractious, stopping us playing, endless fouls.
Jesus coming on
Two big chances since Jesus came on, looking more dynamic
Jorginho off, so going for it
Jorginho played well I thought.
Come on Arsenal!
Cheers, Matt. Extra time is ours. I hope …
Yeah, me too, please Dennis
Penalties then, shit nervous
Hope our takers are steadier than me, come on Arsenal
They were! Steely nerves, just finished jumping round the room screaming hahahaha
Tough tie, they are a horrible team but we showed some real guts,
Well played Matt.
Cheers SP 🥂
It is a big win for our young team, no accusations of bottling it tonight.
Didn’t see what happened at the end between the players but there
was plenty of bad blood to go round I guess
Horrible match against a team who don’t play football in a way I recognise as the game I fell in love with as a kid, aided and abetted by a ref who wasn’t bad so much as bizarre in what he did on the pitch this evening.
We got the right result in the end though, and we are in the last 8 of the Chanpions League. My nerves are somewhat shredded, but it was all worth it in the end.
UTA!
Never in doubt from the moment Raya got his hands to their fourth penalty.
You summed it up perfectly, Matt @29. C100 can stand down.
Still buzzing here. Can’t sleep. Is it excitement or something toxic in all that carpet I chewed?
Got home at 1.30. Will drag my weary bones out of bed tomorrow to try and make something of that. What a night!
great preview, bt8. great win. still shaking, still processing the adrenaline.
raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Sleep on it, C100. Dawn will break brightly.
Boring, boring Arsenal! Bloody hell! :0)
We won. Anti-football lost.
That team is incredibly hard to beat for all the wrong reasons.
Of all the scenes I’m at the end, none gives greater hope for optimism than Ramsdale hugging Raya with a huge smile on his face and the warmest embrace. Team spirit and togetherness are vital at this level and this team, and this manager have it.
Sly, cheating Porto did not have the same strength of character when the penalties began and lacked the belief to complete the task.
Their manager resorted to some cheap distraction tactics with his accusations aimed at Arteta.
Just take your cheating team and Portoff !
>>>>>>>