My predicted line up vs FC Porto
Arsenal will welcome FC Porto to The Emirates in what could be a massive game for our Champions League hopes this season. Having been out of the competition for such a long time, it will be important to the club, the fans and the players to get the win tonight. Porto currently sit 1-0 up after the first leg of the round of 16 so Arsenal will have all the work to do, but hopefully with home advantage and a rocking Emirates stadium, we can walk away victorious. Here’s how I expect Arteta to line his squad up.
In goal, I think Raya will go straight back between the sticks after Ramsdale played against Brentford on the weekend. Raya has been very good this season and has started to become very consistent for Arteta and his squad, making him the top pick for the team and I’d be very surprised if that changed tonight for such a big game.
At the back, I expect a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Kiwior. White has been in great form the past two games and hopefully he can continue that form coming into tonight’s game. Kiwior is another player who has stepped up when needed recently, although Areta did mention that Tomiyasu is nearing closer to a appearance, I’m not sure he would start if fit, but could come into play in the second half if fit enough.
In the middle, I expect a three of Odegaard, Jorginho and Rice. Jorginho for me is vital in this game and in my opinion, he should have started the last game against Porto. Porto like to play through the midfield and will try to play to their strengths and Jorginho gives us that stability and experience in the middle to calm down the play. Odegaard and Rice have both been in great form too recently and will need to be at their best if we want to create some chances.
In attack I expect a front three of Saka, Havertz and Trossard. Martinelli isn’t fit enough to play due to injury as Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference, but I’ve got full faith in Trossard to be able to step up to the plate and do whatever he needs to do. Havertz has been in incredible form recently and hopefully we can draw from his experience in the Champions League and use it to our advantage, linking up well with both Trossard and Saka, we have a dangerous frontline and with Jesus able to come in later to freshen up the attack, we will need to be in the mood as we need to score two goals minimum.
So that’s a 4-4-3 formation of
Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Kiwior
Odegaard – Jorginho – Rice
Saka – Havertz – Trossard
What’s your thoughts Gooners? How do you think we will line, up tonight?
Daisy Mae
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I think Jesus starts ahead of Trossard, this is a very crucial match. Jesus’s dribbling and experience will come in handy in this tie. I expect Porto to be very defensive
Jesus looks reasonable option in tight space. He can dribble in opposition box and keep things tight. But if he plays then will he play in his natural CF position or will he drift wide and Havertz keep CF position. But Jesus has not been that effective in LW so let’s see what happens.
Good line up.
Just any starting line up will do just fine, as long as it’s selected by Mikel. COYG!!!
Such a shame then that it is not going to be selected by Mikel, but by Doris Higginbotham of 23 Acacia Avenue Barnsley.
Though that might, just MIGHT be, a lie!
Doris just emailed to ask why you are giving out her address in public?
NO SHE DIDNT! She doesnt understand computers or phones. She specialises in selecting Arsenal teams only.
Oh, and playing bingo!
That Jon, is a sexist remark as there are plenty of men who play bingo
4-4-3?
I will be interested to see how they juggle upfront – Trossard seems better coming off the bench. I could see Jesus playing wide as well, or he and Havertz rotating around.
I will be really interested to see about Zinchenko. With all 11 Porto players playing in their 18 yard box it could be tempting to include Zinny. Porto does have some speed on the wing but will they even try to use it?
Daisy Mae, it’s not what you like, If the Ukrainian is fit , he starts, especially this particular one where the gaffer will want to establish overwhelming midfield superiority early.
PLUS in my opinion. Jesus Zinchenko Havertz and Jorginho have lots of champions league experience which could be crucial…
On the email I got from Arsenal earlier there was a photo of Zinchenko so it’s a fair bet he’ll start
Jesus would be in my team on the RW with Saka on the left which would surprise and hopefully confuse Porto who will have based their defensive plans to curb Saka on the right.Basically our front three must interchange to create spaces which we can exploit.If Saka is stuck on the RW Porto will be difficult to break down that’s for sure.
In the stadium!!!
Grandad, you and I, amongst others, hace and been asking for Saka and Martinelli to swap wings for a long time – perhaps tonight’s the night?!
Miserable evening, but the group is already playing / singing Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
I’m going to try and bring those who can’t get to the stadium, an idea of the atmosphere and will do an article from that point of view TOMORROW, win or lose … when I get back to Scotland!!
Meanwhile COYG!!
Thank you Ken1945
That would be great. I’d personally be looking forward to it.
I hope we win & qualify, which would make it a whole lot better.
Looking forward to your colorful description with bated breath
👍👍
I hope you have a treat in store for you. Its giving me goose bumps just thinking about it
I also would want to see the wingers interchanging but I have come to accept it’s a wild dream, won’t happen with Arteta however much I wish it should happen. Well may be Arteta will read this and surprise me one day! Looking forward to your article Ken whichever the result tonight
Jesus starts ahead of Trossard, who wasn’t so good against Brentford, and Zinchenko to replace Kiwior. The rest of the team as you suggest DM.
Happy with your selection though didn’t Rice get booked last time and if booked again will miss the next round?
I wouldn’t be surprised if Arteta springs a surprise and picks………….Ramsdale……….really………surely not !
I’m confident we’ll go through particularly after checking Porto’s away stats (by Transfermarkt) in the knockout stages of the UCL. 7 games, 7 losses with only 1 goal scored in a 6-1 battering at Munich. One would say they don’t ‘travel’ well?
Sorry! this was meant for the previous article by Dan!!
I think Arteta will go with:
White , saliba , Gabriel, Kiwior
Ode , Rice, Harvetz
Saka, Jesus, Trossard
I think you’ve got the team about right Daisy. Jesus is not quite at his full match fitness and Trossard would suit this type of game. Jorginho too.
I would swap Jesus with Havertz but at the end of the day it’s about what MA chooses and whoever he chooses I hope it’s strong enough to win
COYG- You can do it
Jesus instead of trossard because we need more pace on the wings.
I would swap Jesus with Trossard as he didn’t effectively impact the game in Porto and the Brentford one.