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Arsenal supporters doubtless breathed an enormous sigh of aid when their title was drawn towards Porto for the Champions League final 16.
On paper, the Portuguese aspect are one of many weaker sides remaining within the competitors and the truth that they’re at present seven factors off Benfica – who completed third of their Champions League group – within the Primeira Liga would recommend that Arsenal ought to safe their quarter-final spot with little fuss.
Nonetheless, Porto have a wealth of expertise within the Champions League knockout section and boast a squad that accommodates some extraordinarily proficient people. Sergio Conceicao’s aspect are to not be dismissed and any complacency from the Gunners shall be punished.
Listed below are the Porto gamers that Arsenal should be careful for within the Champions League final 16.
Porto have loads of menacing attackers of their ranks, various that are quintessentially Brazilian. Pepe – not the 40-year-old former Actual Madrid centre-back who additionally performs on the Estadio do Dragao – is a type of that boasts loads of South American aptitude, the winger having posted some respectable numbers in Europe to this point.
The 26-year-old, who earned his first senior Brazil cap final November, has proven his versatility for Porto this time period, taking part in in a wide range of positions and roles throughout the entrance line. Pepe has netted two targets and laid on six assists throughout the Primeira Liga and Champions League to this point, and his flexibility might give Mikel Arteta some meals for thought.
The arrival of Declan Rice final summer time has helped Arsenal management the midfield battle in massive video games this season, with Jorginho additionally proving a useful sidekick in troublesome encounters. Nonetheless, Stephen Eustaquio has the power to unsettle the Gunners in central areas, the Canada worldwide’s ferocious nature an actual asset to Porto.
The 27-year-old has been in spectacular type this time period and has began all six of his aspect’s European fixtures. A proficient, press-resistant playmaker, Eustaquio ranks within the high 15% of midfielders for tackles and interceptions within the Champions League, whereas additionally providing Porto an attacking risk within the opposition half.
Evanilson has proved himself as Porto’s primary aim risk this season, netting 19 instances in 26 appearances in all competitions. The Brazilian has scored 4 in 5 European outings, albeit all of them got here in two appearances towards Champions League debutants Royal Antwerp within the group stage.
Solely 4 gamers have scored greater than Evanilson within the Champions League to this point, with the speedy ahead additionally the primary line of defence in Porto’s press. He is prone to maintain Gabriel and William Saliba busy within the final 16 and has the power to punish any Arsenal sloppiness within the backline.
One of many standout performers on this season’s Champions League, Wenderson Galeno completes a triumvirate of thrilling attacking Brazilians for Porto. The winger, who predominantly options on the left-hand aspect, has 4 targets and three assists in simply 5 European matches, standing out in video games residence and away towards Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 26-year-old has performed an admirable job changing Luis Diaz since his transfer to Liverpool and Ben White shall be examined repeatedly by the attacker’s trickery and tempo. Galeno ranks within the high percentile for targets, assists and carries into the penalty space amongst forwards on this 12 months’s Champions League, in addition to within the high 4 % for fouls drawn and progressive carries per 90.
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