Champions League Preview: FC Porto vs Arsenal
In a clash between two European powerhouses, Arsenal will travel to Portugal to take on FC Porto in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. With both teams having a similar league campaign, they head into this one both looking to get the upper hand in leg one. In the round of 16, the aggregate comes into play with both teams having to travel to the respective sides' ground, in hopes of accumulating as many goals as they can. With two fierce offenses that like to play well on the counterattack, this game should live up to the expectations in the first meeting between the clubs.
The story heading into today's match would be the streaks that are in danger of ending for both sides. Manager Mikel Arteta will bring his visiting Arsenal squad into this one unbeaten in their last five games while sitting in the top three of the English Premier League. The key for Arsenal in this one is to feed their star boy, Bakayo Saka. The English right winger has five goals and four assists through the group stages of the Champions League while tallying 12 goals over his EPL campaign. Mikel Arteta and company will try to play to his style, with pace down the flank to try and penetrate the penalty area. His Norwegian skipper, Martin Ødegaard, will try to navigate a physical midfield of Porto to feed Saka.
On the other side of the pitch stands FC Porto, a Portuguese high-flying team with a ton of physicality brought into the center of the park. While Porto is heading into this one unbeaten in their last ten home matches, something has to give at Estadio Do Dragao this afternoon. The target man on set pieces for the team will be Evanilson, who struck for four goals in the group stage of the competition. The key for Porto is to play a possessive style of game, influencing Arsenal to lose their shape in the talented midfield that they have to offer.
As this is the first meeting of the two sides, one has to believe that there will be confidence brought from each team in hopes of leading the draw. An early goal for either team will work magic as they will then sit back and take the lead into the next draw. In the eyes of both managers, anything but a win would be considered a letdown. In the midst of a Champions League run, it is vital to take care of an away leg if you are Arsenal, while also being vital to not drop points at home in Portugal.
