Arsenal will begin their maiden Champions League knockout stage campaign in seven years this week as they square off with Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday.
The Gunners have been impeccable in 2024 and will fancy their chances against the Portuguese outfit in the first-leg of the last 16.
Porto are the only Portuguese team to be still alive in the Champions League, with Benfica and Braga both finishing third in their groups to drop down to the Europa League.
Sergio Conceicao’s side were impressive in the group stages as they won four of their six matches to be level on points with Barcelona.
They had a superior goal difference to the Catalans, but the inferior head-to-head record meant they finished behind the Spanish outfit.
Porto crashed out of the Champions League at the last 16 stage last season after finalists Inter Milan sealed a 1-0 aggregate victory.
The Dragons will be looking to do better this campaign, but standing in their way are Premier League giants Arsenal.
The Gunners have been enjoying an excellent run of form in the new year as they have won each of their five matches in the English top-flight in 2024.
They put six unanswered goals against West Ham United to register their biggest Premier League away victory before thrashing Burnley 5-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday.
Arsenal are vying with Liverpool and Manchester City for the league crown but they are also aiming to do well in Europe.
Porto suffered a big injury blow against Estrela at the weekend as left-back Zaidu Sanusi was stretchered off with a serious knock. Ivan Marcano is already nursing an ACL injury, while Stephen Eustaquio’s availability is doubtful.
As for Arsenal, Jurrien Timber is still recovering from his injury even though he has been named in the squad for the knockouts. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all doubtful for Wednesday’s clash.
Porto: Costa; Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Sanchez; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Fans of football can watch Porto vs Arsenal through the Champions League streams on live television.
Arsenal have crashed out of the Champions League in each of their previous seven last 16 appearances. However, they are expected to make it to the quarter-finals this time.
Porto boast an impressive record at the Estádio do Dragão but we don’t see them beating the Gunners who possess some of the best players in the world.
Porto 1-2 Arsenal
