Playing in their first Champions League knockout game since 2017, Arsenal face Porto – whose veteran defender Pepe has more appearances in the competition than the entirety of the Gunners’ starting XI.
And despite dominating possession, Arsenal were on the back foot early – and indeed almost certainly should have conceded – when Francisco Conceição crossed the ball from the right side.
It fell to Brazilian winger Galeno, who had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 23rd minute. But his shot rattled the post and when it rebounded to him, his second effort from just four yards out was sent wide of the goal.
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TEAM NEWS
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kept faith with the team that thrashed Burnley 5-0 at the weekend for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg at FC Porto.
Leandro Trossard leads what has been a free-flowing attack of late with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli nominally starting to the left and right of the Belgian.
Jakub Kiwior continues to fill in for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back as the Ukrainian recovers from a calf problem. Gabriel Jesus is still out with a knee injury.
Wendell returns from a domestic ban to start on the left side of Porto’s defence with Nigeria international Zaidu Sanusi sidelined by a knee injury picked up last weekend.
Arsenal are playing their first Champions League knockout tie for seven years. They last made it to the quarter-finals back in 2010.
Starting line-ups:
FC Porto (4-2-3-1) Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Otavio, Pepe (capt), Wendell; Nico Gonzalez, Alan Varela; Francisco Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson
Arsenal (4-3-3) David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard (capt), Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard
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Source Agencies
