Date: Tuesday, March 12th, 2024
Time: 9:00 pm
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
In the upcoming clash between Arsenal and Porto, Arsenal is facing potential setbacks as Gabriel Martinelli, who suffered a foot injury in their recent victory against Sheffield United, may not fully recover in time for Tuesday’s match.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is also uncertain due to a knock, while Jurrien Timber is still weeks away from returning after an ACL injury. However, Arsenal welcomes Oleksandr Zinchenko‘s return from a calf concern against Brentford.
David Raya, now eligible to reclaim his goalkeeping position, could replace Aaron Ramsdale. Despite Ramsdale’s first-half error in the previous game, he redeemed himself with notable saves in the second half.
Arsenal’s possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Jesus
On the Porto side, left-back Wendell has recovered, but Zaidu Sanusi and Ivan Marcano are on the lengthy recovery path from ACL problems. Gabriel Veron is nursing an Achilles issue, but star striker Mehdi Taremi is expected to return after missing the first leg due to a thigh concern. Francisco Conceicao may need to make adjustments to accommodate Taremi’s return without dropping Evanilson, the twenty-one-goal striker. The experienced Pepe, at 41 years old, will continue to lead the Porto defense.
Porto’s possible starting lineup:
Costa; Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Porto (Arsenal win 2-1 on aggregate
