Arsenal will face FC Porto in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night. And Mikel Arteta may have just received the right boost, with Gabriel Jesus tipped to return from injury in that game.
Gabriel has missed the last three Arsenal games since scoring and assisting in a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. He’s been sidelined with a knee injury, as per reports. Mikel Arteta has been secretive about his injury recovery. He most likely intends to use him as an element of surprise. He probably wants to catch Arsenal’s opponents off guard. This opponent may be FC Porto.
Why FC Porto? According to various publications, Gabriel has practically recovered and will travel to Portugal with Arsenal and is fit to rejoin the squad.
There’s an argument that Arsenal doesn’t need Jesus, considering that Arteta has devised a system, with Trossard taking over striking, that has Arsenal firing on all cylinders. Arsenal have scored 14 goals in Jesus’ absence over the last three games. However, we cannot deny the Brazilian’s influence on this Arsenal team.
On a good day, Gabriel makes the Arsenal attack click; he may not score much, but Arsenal are stronger when he is available, even from the bench.
Hopefully, Arsenal will depart Stadio do Dragao with a big win, and Jesus will play a key role in that victory.
Darren N
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I think it would be potty to play Jesus – unless it was as a substitute later on and with a decent lead. Why play a not quite ready player when there are others who are doing well?
Great comment SueP.
We need to start with our best 11 on form. That is the 11 starts from the last 3 games played, and stick to the same system. Do not tinker or become tactically experimental. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. Stick with the two false number 9s, in Havertz and Trossard, and the rest of the team unless they’re injured.
Players like Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and others can have a kick towards the end, if and that is a big if, if we are comfortable ahead in the final 30-20 minutes remaining of the game.
I think according to the reports which I’ve read. Partey, GJesus Zinchenko and Tomiyansu have all stayed back in London and did not travel with the team for the FC Porto match.
But notwithstanding, if Arteta is playing a mind game only to later make GJesus available for the match. That will be fine because GJesus has been impactful for Arsenal scoring and providing assists in the Ucl games he has played for Arsenal this season.
But I doubt if he is available for the match.
But by and large. It will be nice and proper if Arteta start his Gunners starting XI team that he started for the last 2 Arsenal matches for FC Porto tonight. That wallop West Ham and Burnley 0-6 and 0-5 respectively.
And I strongly believe that this same team will also wallop Porto in the match tonight.
Trossard.
Martinelli. Odegaard. Saka.
Havertz. Rice.
Kiwior. Gabriel. Saliba. White.
Raya.
I would have preferred Jorginho for Havertz but Havertz has been crucial to our game play for the past 3 matches.
Honestly, it should be Jorginho. We need him for UEFA
Jorginho will probably start instead of Kai or Trossard. It’s an away game in the knock out stage, Arteta will want to be more careful.
yes I have read that Jesus, Partey, Tomi, Zinc did travel to Portugal – not that any of those would be automatic selection over the XI in such fine form at the moment
I would expect an unchanged starting XI with Vieira, ESR, academy getting minutes later on
i get the Jorginho argument for starting place, but not sure Porto are an opponent that demands the caution and containment strategy
did ‘not’ travel
Porto are a dangerous side,particularly at home, and a narrow win for Arsenal would be entirely acceptable.The Porto defence is far more resilient than those on display at West Ham and Burnley.