Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal favourites to conquer Porto's fractured fortress but Galeno is serious threat in Champions League tie

Like many of the big-hitters left in the Champions League, Arsenal will be pleased with the outcome of the last-16 draw.

The Gunners have avoided a showdown with the likes of Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, instead landing a clash with Porto.

Arsenal have never won away at Porto in three previous visits and the Estadio do Dragao is historically a tough place to go. But that has changed over recent seasons.

Club Brugge won 4-0 there last year, while the season before that Liverpool were 5-1 winners. Atletico Madrid also beat Porto that same year as the Portuguese side slipped into the Europa League, eventually going out after Lyon defeated them at home.

Arsenal should be confident of progressing, but they must be wary of complacency.

Veteran bruiser Pepe is in the Porto ranks (REUTERS)

Porto finished level on points with Group H winners Barcelona, but qualified in second place due to a worse head-to-head record against the Spanish champions. Barca beat Porto twice, however they were narrow wins of 2-1 and 1-0.

There are some familiar faces in this Porto team and none more so than centre-back Pepe, who is still going strong at the age of 40.

Given the way Bukayo Saka terrorised 37-year-old Brighton full-back James Milner on Sunday, Arsenal will fancy their chances.

Porto, however, boast an impressive defensive record. They have the best defence in the Portuguese top-flight this season after conceding just nine times in 13 games.

In attack, their biggest threat comes from winger Galeno. Signed in January 2022 after Luis Diaz was sold to Liverpool, the 26-year-old Brazilian has taken the Champions League by storm.

Champions League draw in full

Porto vs Arsenal

Napoli vs Barcelona

PSG vs Real Sociedad

Inter vs Atletico Madrid

PSV vs Borussia Dortmund

Lazio vs Bayern Munich

FC Copenhagen vs Man City

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid

He contributed to eight goals during the group stage (four goals and four assists), which is more than any other player in the Champions League this season.

Arsenal will need to keep the left winger quiet, but Porto carry a threat on the other flank too through Pepe.

The 26-year-old, who was linked with a transfer to Arsenal last year, made his Brazil debut last month and is tipped for a big move this summer.

He scored against Barcelona in the group stage and recent reports in Portugal have earmarked Tottenham as a possible destination for him, with Spurs suiting his attacking style of play.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.