I think we all know better than to bet against an English team at home to a Portuguese side. The supremacy of English football vs Portuguese football on the continental scene is very well established, and the last time Porto played against Arsenal in London they lost by 0-4.
In fact, the two have been drawn against each other twice before, albeit in the groups stages. In 2006 Arsenal secured a goalless draw in Portugal after having secured a 2-0 win at home.
In 2008 they lost 0-2 in Portugal after having bagged 3 points at home through the aforementioned 4-0 home win.
Now Porto have not even been as strong of late, losing by 0-3 away to Sporting Lisbon and drawing 2-2 at home vs Olhanense for their last 2 games. Their shaky defense could be their undoing.
Also Sol Campbell’s away goal has put Arsenal in a very good position, and even without Fabregas the Arsenal squad should be able to see off their guests by more than just the odd goal.
Arsenal have many influential players back in contention. Arshavin and Eduardo upfront for example. Also Sagna and Campbell in the rear, with Diaby and Song also available in the midfield.
Arsenal played 3 league games since their defeat in Portugal, and they scored 8 goals in them, so scoring 2 or 3 today is really not too much to ask for. The odds sure look juicy enough.
Pick:
Arsenal
More News
According to SportItalia, The Gunners are starting to give up on signing Fulham and Australia’s veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, and even his alternate on their list Maarten Stekelenburg who plays for Ajax also appears to be a distant target by now, so Arsene Wenger is turning his attention elsewhere to find a proper goalkeeping options [...]
Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for his new signing Javier Hernandez as the 22 year old player performed well in his debut with The Red Devils in their friendly win over MLS All-Stars. Hernandez, a Mexican international signed by Old Trafford just before the WC finals in which he scored twice for his [...]
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini insists Robinho will be back at Eastlands. he is adamant Micah Richards has future with the club, but he is also undecided between Shay Given and Joe Hart so far. Mancini tackled many issues in his interviews with Sky Sports News and the Manchester Evening News. Of the two international [...]
Arsenal target Sebastian Giovinco will decide on his future sometime next week according to his agent Andrea D’Amico, who also expressed his disappointment in the fact Giovinco has not been giving enough playing time at his current side Juventus. Arsenal of course are the main contenders to land the ‘Atomic Ant’ should he decide to [...]
Brian Kidd was once Sir Alex Ferguson right hand, but now belongs to the ‘enemy’ camp at Eastlands, and he is adamant the Citizens are about to re-write history wntering a ‘great era’ as did United -when he was involved- in 1993. Man Utd had spent 26 years without a title, having last won the [...]