Arsenal predicted lineup vs Porto - Champions League

  • Arsenal continue Champions League journey with first leg of last 16 vs Porto
  • Mikel Arteta could back same starters from 5-0 thrashing of Burnley on Saturday
  • Gabriel Jesus closing in on return from latest knee injury
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Arsenal will hope to take their incredible domestic form into the Champions League when they take on Porto in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

The Gunners have won enjoyed a spectacular recent run of form, winning their last five Premier League games and scoring 21 goals in the process.

Mikel Arteta's could be dark horses in the late stages of Europe's premier club competition, but first they must knock out a Porto side struggling in the Primeira Liga title race.

Here's the Arsenal XI that could be deployed on Wednesday.


Arsenal predicted lineup vs Porto (4-3-3)

Bukayo Saka
Saka is enjoying a hot streak / Harriet Lander/Copa/GettyImages

GK: David Raya - Has moved level with Everton's Jordan Pickford for most Premier League clean sheets this season with eight.

RB: Ben White - Should get a rest once Takehiro Tomiyasu begins to feature more, with Cedric Soares replacing him late on in wins over West Ham and Burnley.

CB: William Saliba - Has kept things tight at the back in recent weeks while Arsenal's forwards dominate.

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - Gabriel and Saliba will enjoy their joint venture in the Champions League knockout stages, with neither previously appearing at this level in their careers.

LB: Jakub Kiwior - Has two assists in his last three league outings, most recently setting up Kai Havertz's finish in the 5-0 Burnley win. Should continue in the likely absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

CM: Martin Odegaard - Powered the Gunners into an early lead at Turf Moor and proceeded to dance around the pitch for the rest of the encounter.

CM: Declan Rice - Found no goal contributions at the weekend after haunting former club West Ham. Leadership qualities will prove key.

CM: Kai Havertz - Will return to the scene where his winning goal sealed a 2021 Champions League success for Chelsea.

RW: Bukayo Saka - Has hit an incredibly rich vein of form recently, returning six goals in four games. His performances have helped Arsenal crucially boost their Premier League goal difference by 19 over the past five matches.

ST: Leandro Trossard - Belgium international Trossard has also waded in with goals in recent weeks in the absence of Gabriel Jesus, who is closing in on a return from his knee problem.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Probably felt a little left out in the West Ham and Burnley thrashings as he failed to get on the scoresheet, but his endeavour and pace will be crucial here.


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