The Champions League draw has taken place and Arsenal have been given a favourable draw against Portuguese giants Porto.
As a name, Porto is a big club but they are not the same team they have been in recent seasons, mainly due to Financial Fair Play problems and Arsenal should be fairly content with this match-up.
It certainly could have been a lot more difficult and shows the advantage of finishing first in the group stage.
The other English side, Manchester City, has also been handed a good draw with Danish side FC Copenhagen their opponents.
This is the draw in full
- FC Porto v Arsenal
- Napoli v Barcelona
- Paris St-Germain v Real Sociedad
- Inter Milan v Atletico Madrid
- PSV Eindhoven v Borussia Dortmund
- Lazio v Bayern Munich
- FC Copenhagen v Manchester City
- RB Leipzig v Real Madrid
The first legs will be played 13-14 and 20-21 February with the second legs on 5-6 and 12-13 March.
This is a good draw though a little tricky it could have been a whole lot more challenging
Somthing tells me this could well be our year in Europe.
And here I will explain why, when you looks at the strength of our first eleven it is second to none, Robert De Zerbi in his interview after the defeat and I quote ” they are stronger than last season”. Talking about a fish coming from the bottom of the sea and telling you sharks are down there.
Defensively we are solid as a rock when we want to, and to think we are among the teams that scores the most goals in this competition speaks volume.
Another significant factor influencing performance in the champions league is the manager, the gaffer plays a pivotal role in shaping the team tactics, motivating the players, and making decisions during matches.
A stable manager that got the fire in his belly.
The transfer window will also provide Arsenal to improve the depth of an already strong team punching above its belt, due to our versatility.
Tactical approach enjoy by us will play a significant role in the champions league campaign also.
Arsenal style of play has often been associated with possession base football, quick and pressing, and attacking intent. This will allow us to neutralize opponents strength and exploit their weaknesses there by increasing our chances of success.
Also the unwavering support of the fans will have a profound impact on players motivation and confidence, we have already seen the effects of support and fans expectations, the significant roles it plays in the team performance both domestically and European competitors.
Our draws in the competition are already favorable, big game players are returning to form at the right time, one in particular is like a new signing, if I can borrow a quote from the legendary Frenchman.
I wish it was Copenhagen, Sociedad or Lazio
Sociedad is a thought team.
They’re just sixth in LaLiga
6th in leagues like the English and Spanish leagues are better teams than 1st of many leagues
FC Porto is a better draw than Real Sociedad
I hope you’re right, because we got spanked by Sporting CP last season
I agree on that one Babasoola and I’m just thinking sociedad to win it are prob about 500 to one.
You never know!
Man city are just 4th in epl
And……
Sociedad wasnt an option for us. Also, you don’t want them and I think they have every chance of beating PSG. Copenhagen obviously would’ve been the most ideal. But Porto is a decent draw and a decent side. Portuguese teams will always prove a challenge to overcome
A “thought” team?
What on Earth is THAT supposed to be?
Gai,
Porto won’t much an ssue if you ask me. They were beating home and away by Bacccelonia in group stages.
.Spanish and Italian opposition can be very difficult at times and unpredictable. It’s only Porto’s massive experience in UCL I respect.
Compenhagen is really favourable for MCity.
The good thing is by February Timber and Pathey should be back for a good bench. And let’s hope no major player has injury by then. Arsenal should sail through..
Lazio would have rekindled the restaurant fight when their team
waited outside the restaurant and attacked our players as they left.
Jamiest draw FC Copenhagen v Man City. Potentially the best draw Napoli v Barca. Porto shouldn’t cause us too many problems but this is a knockout competition now and funny things can happen.
Sociedad were first of their group. It was impossible to face them in the last 16.
I was hoping for Copenhagen or Lazio. But I guess Porto was way better than PSG or Napoli.
I think we have a good chance to progress.
We can only beat who is in front of us, believe no one will want to play Arsenal, PSG and Napoli will not to meet us when we are on form
R. Sociedad has a very good team this season. Porto is a better draw.
Porto is a good team for arsenal this will be a stepping stone for arsenal to even perform better for even though games/teams in the champions League.
No game is easy in UCL but nobody can honestly deny that we’ve had very favourable draws so far.
From quarters onwards every team is really tough so luck has certainly been on our side.
If Arsene was still in charge we probably would have gotten Bayern especially with Harry in their squad. Luckily we’ll just cross that bridge when we get to it. Bring on Porto. COYG.
Even Arsenal wouldn’t have got Bayern they like us won their group. Probably would have drawn Napoli though.
Sorry meant Arsene. AI taking over!!
Oops, you’re right. Nah, they still would’ve found a way to give us Bayern, lol.
Porto will be a good game for us. We must make sure that we score as many goals as possible at home for first game.
Porto can be so lethal at home. Return match, we must have a good stragey.
If only we can get one striker and a midfielder like the two Brazilian Leonardo (striker) and Andre (midfielder), we are good to go for three titles.
Fair draw.
We just have to make sure we don’t underrate them, lest we get stung.
It could have been worse.
Good thing is, once we’re able to successfully navigate this tie, anything & everything is possible, moving forward.
Could this be our year?
One step at a time!
Should be an easy progression to the quarters.
I don’t see an impossible team to beat this season. My prediction still stands.
We should qualify comfortably assuming we play to our level both games and no stupid errors. Will be great to finally get that might be our year feeling you get when the competition gets to the last 8.
CL has been easier to break through lately since Barca, Real and Bayern are not the behemoths they once were. They are still great teams but do not seem unbeatable as before. That we have also gone up another level the last 2 seasons also helps.
Coyg we are arsenal upward and onward.
I’m hoping we don’t underrate Porto as we did Olympiacus , Atletico and Sporting,
We must be ruthless.
I’m hoping Tomiyasu, Timber and Partey would be fully fit by then.
If Ghana advance Partey ain’t coming back until mid to late February at best, Timber is not coming back this year!
There are no easy games at this stage in the CL.
Mikel could not even get us past the semi’s in EL.
If Saliba goes down then forget everything regarding trophies this year.
Get another defender and mid in January end of…….
Who’s Partey again? 😅 Honestly though, I would be surprised if Arteta relies on Jorginho more than Partey going forward. There’s just been countless rumors about Partey wanting out since last summer.
Why are you so negative.
Because we won the group, we couldn’t really get a bad draw and we didn’t. Porto here we come!!!!!!
We just need to be calm and win the remaining 7 games (2 last ’16’ games, 2 quarter-final games, 2 semi-final games, and the final) to get the elusive champions league. Hopefully we remain injury free.