After another thumping 5-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor, Arsenal travel to Portugal to face Porto in their first UEFA Champions League knockout match in seven years. Last Word on Football brings you an Arsenal predicted lineup for this leg of the Round of 16.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Porto
Champions League Eve 👊 pic.twitter.com/QAnMTuXhS0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 20, 2024
How Arsenal Have Lined up Recently
The Arsenal defence which has kept two clean sheets in a row in the domestic campaign is expected to keep its place for the trip to Porto as well. David Raya has cemented his spot in goal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale after a shaky start to the season. Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes have formed a formidable partnership that has propelled the Gunners in their Premier League title fight.
Thanks to injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior has started as the left-back and is expected to keep that spot for Wednesday’s game.
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Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard have been the preferred midfield trio for Mikel Arteta. In the absence of Gabriel Jesus who is out with a calf injury, Leandro Trossard has led the line for Mikel Arteta’s side admirably.
The young and exciting duo of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have started on the wings when fit and will be looking to hit the ground running against their Primeira Liga opponents.
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Arsenal Recent Form and Tactics
The North Londoners have been in red-hot form heading into this European fixture. They have a perfect record in the league in 2024, which includes a win over title rivals and table-toppers Liverpool. Since the winter break, the Gunners have been clinical in front of goal, scoring 21 goals in only five games which includes 11 in their last two.
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Arteta has stuck with a 4-3-3 formation this season which sees the full-backs invert into the midfield while in possession. No matter the personnel, the Spanish manager prefers to play this style of football which allows for an extra player in midfield alongside Rice.
With Trossard in the side, Arsenal play a false-nine system which allows their wide players to cut in from the flanks and make direct runs towards the opposition goal.
Arsenal’s true strength, however, is their defence. The composure and positioning of the back line combined with Rice’s terrific play in midfield has meant that the Gunners have conceded a Premier League low of 22 goals this season. In addition to this, their set-piece prowess makes them a huge threat on both ends of the pitch.
Arsenal Injuries to Consider
Zinchenko, Jesus, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber are expected to miss the tie at Estadio do Dragao. However, it must be noted that the Ghanaian midfielder has been spotted in training and is expected to make a comeback soon.
Former Porto man Fabio Vieira has also been spotted in training for the team and has traveled with the squad to his home country. Depending on the game state, Arteta could give the 23-year-old his first minutes since November.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup
GK – David Raya
RB – Ben White
CB – William Saliba
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
LB – Jakub Kiwior
CDM – Declan Rice
CM – Kai Havertz
CM – Martin Odegaard
RW – Bukayo Saka
ST – Leandro Trossard
LW – Gabriel Martinelli
