ARSENAL.COM
Morning all.
Porto are in town and I suspect we’re all waiting to see what depths of dark arts football they will stoop to. Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke, writing in the official matchday programme:
Conceicao inspired a defensive tactical masterclass at the Estadio Dragao by sacrificing a high-intensity pressing game for a well-organised, pragmatic approach. His 4-2-3-1 became a 4-5-1 out of possession, with their nominal No.10 Pepe dropping back into the right of midfield to pack central areas. Wide men Galeno and Francisco Conceicao were also extremely diligent in the way they retreated behind the ball.
In that game they enjoyed just a 35 per cent share of the ball, so we can expect them to sit back in their shape once again, attempting to frustrate us. From that solid five-man midfield base, they will try to force turnovers that catch us cold.
It was clear that the Portuguese side will also look to slow down the pace of the game and make it a fragmented affair that is bitty in style, rather than free-flowing, and they will likely repeat this ploy, adopting a mid-block designed to crowd space and disrupt our passing rhythm. Rarely making a mistake, they were supremely disciplined in carrying out the manager’s instructions. Conceding just 17 goals in 24 domestic league matches they are a very smart defensive outfit.
Most of their most dangerous attacking forays come from the flanks, but they do lack a touch of creativity inside the final third. In the Primera Liga they have a combined xG of 28.01 in open play, which is way below the likes of Sporting (36.8), Braga (39.24) and Benfica (45.8). All those outfits have scored more open-play goals than Porto, as have minnows Estoril and Arouca.
I looked back on how Porto played their Champions League game against Barcelona in the Camp Nou. They committed 21 fouls compared to Barcelona’s 11 and that’s just the ones the referee did spot. Barcelona outdid them as far as possession goes, 54.5% – 45.5% but as far as the shots on target goes, the stats were pretty even. I use Barcelona as an example because they’re probably the best European side Porto have played away in this competition so far. For the first 20 odd minutes, Porto sat back, defended and then upped their attacking side of the game. They started to press Barca higher up the pitch and but for an offside flag, would have gone ahead before they did. It was a counter-attack which gave them a 1-0 lead on the half hour mark. Barcelona equalised just 90 seconds later. Barcelona very nearly went ahead right after the break but the woodwork got in the way and as the home team pushed for the winner, Porto dropped further and further back. Their right hand side of the defence was the target for Barca and eventually they scored what turned out to be the winning goal and yes, it came from Porto’s right, Barca’s left.
In the first fixture of this two legged tie, Arsenal, by their own standards, weren’t at their best.
Mikel Arteta on what we have to do differently against Porto tonight compared to the first leg:
We’re certainly going to have to tweak a few things to generate much more than what we did against them. It’s the level of the Champions League; you’re facing top teams, the fact that there are two games as well plays on your mind and we’re going to have to be better tomorrow.
On the part the crowd will play:
I think the impact they can make tomorrow is incredible. I don’t think that they really realise so we need that noise and we need them playing every single ball with us. We need that emotion controlled as well to understand that the game can go through certain phases and we have to be really intelligent to push in the right moments to get what we want. It is a beautiful opportunity to live these nights – it’s been 14 years so everything that we put in is going to be worth it.
At The Emirates tonight, I think Mikel Arteta’s team will play a much better game. A different game too. I think we’ll be more aggressive, more proactive and more attacking. I think we’ll see Jorginho and Declan Rice together in midfield again but if not Jorginho, Thomas Partey.
We need two goals to go through as well as a clean sheet. Sounds a simple task but it won’t be I’m sure because Porto aren’t going to turn up and let us play our game. They’ll use every trick in the book to stop us from playing which is absolutely fine, as long as the officials punish the bits which cross the football rules line. Fairness and consistency, nothing more and nothing less.
COYG’s!
Morning Rico
It will be a tough game this evening. Expect more of the same from Porto. We will need to mix things up a lot more: high crosses; low crosses; long shots. We will be camped on the edge of their box for most of the game, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zinchenko for Kiwior. No game for over two weeks so yjr kitchen sink can be thrown at this one.
An early goal and the pressure will be ramped up on Porto. Tonight is the night for the Team to show how far they have come…
tonight is settle down with a bottle red and dont get too worked up . I didnt take the European option for my ticket , so its log fire and the lap top . I expect a cagey game but we will have to unpredictable because this lot will be the most organised team we have played in a long time .
Morning rico, although unpleasant, I think too much has been made of Porto’s tactics rather than our own poor game. We were too slow and negative settling for a draw, which came unstuck with a fine shot. No excuse tonight, if we are as good as we think we are, we should be able to unlock a team like Porto. If extra time needed, with our squad reinforced with players back, would be confident in extra time.
Good morning all.
Porto’s plan will be to break up the flow of the game, much as Brentford did on Saturday when of the ninety plus minutes the ball was in play for only forty-nine. Tonight patience will be not just a virtue, but a vital necessity. Odegaard will have to be at the top of his Captaincy game to ensure his team-mates don’t swarm around the referee thus earing yellow cards. He will also have to diligent in politely pointing out time wasting tactics to the ref.
As to selection, there should be no starting place for rusty players. Partey, Jesus and Zinchenko can all play a part from the bench when require to do so.
Morning Pete, i think we’ll see a very different performance to the away game. Hopefully, Porto won’t know what’s hit them until it’s too late…
Morning Andrew, Potter, Cicero.
Yep, we were negative and quite passive in Portugal. Just why I think Jorginho will continue in midfield as he frees up Rice. Jorginho didn’t start in Portugal if my memory serves me right.
The fans will play a huge part tonight..
Morning Rico and all.
Don’t know anything about Porto but looking at YouTube Videos, as Pete said if we mix up our play we can catch them out, I would also say cut back on the amount of kick to kick and backward passing. and keep attacking and not let there keeper relax. with the fans being loud I believe we can win tonight 3 -1
Hi Geoff. I fancy us to win but not if we play like we did in Portugal
What we remember here: Costinha’s goal at M.United 1 Porto 1.
It was 20 years ago…
I’d rather remember Havertz winner v Brentford Jm. 😜
What we remember here: Costinha’s goal at M.United 1 Porto 1.
It was 20 years ago…
You can’t live on past glories JM
Look at the last few years of Wenger.
It would be a great boost if Martinelli plays tonight, even if he can only play half an hour from the bench. Hopefully we will be in control by then ha ha
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice,Odegaad, Jorginho, Trossard, Havertz, Saka.
Martinelli not on the bench.
Coygs!!
YES!!!
What a pass from Odegaard and a great finish fro Trossard too…
This referee is shocking!
trossards brother
I thought it was Dick’s brother…
Missed the first twenty minutes, porto”s players going down at the slightest touch claiming injury, the ref needs to get a grip on them.
1 – 1, c’mon Arsenal another quick goal and their heads will drop.
This ref is so biased towards Porto it’s a joke.
Did think it might go extra time. Now let’s step up and do it! Jesus looking sharp. Saka again not getting much pleasure.
Anyone care to predict the winner?
We are at home, Cicero. Strong bench, no 40 year old defender in our side, so I think …… not going to say it.
penalties ? change the keeper ?
Not a comfortable watch!
Memories of Fairs Cup come back!
Wow! Nerve wrecking…
YES YES YES YES !!!!!
First save somehow didn’t rebound in
Great second save, thank you Raya
Heart racing!
penalties ? change the keeper ?
Just as well we didn’t
Not the easiest way to go through, but great to see the team keep calm and concentrate during penalty shoot out.
I wonder if Arteta will get a please explain after Porto’s manager claimed Arteta insulted him by making a comment about his dead relative.
Raya’s first save nearly went in off the back of his own leg, but his second save was very well read, but best of all was seeing Ramsdale cellebrate with Raya after the win.
The Porto manager accused Guardiola of something similar in 2020 after Porto lost to Man City, so he has previous.
Just a sore loser.
I don’t remember Raya having a difficult save to make so don’t be conned by any media focus on Arsenal not performing.
It’s european football, it’s rarely entertaining and more about spoiling tactics and stopping your opponent at all costs. The Porto manager summed it up well after the 1st leg. What was it he said? “Arsenal came to play football, we played to win”
Well that didn’t end well did it senor?
Arsenal won and by Friday when the draw is made Porto will be forgotten, in fact I’ve forgotten them already!
Whoever we draw will be difficult, but avoiding Man City would be nice.
Morning all.
New post up.