UCL: FC Porto v Arsenal

Doors open at 2.30p.

Seven years later, Arsenal return to the Champions League knockout stage with a trip to Portugal to face FC Porto. The hosts, who finished second in Group H behind Barcelona, enter the contest unbeaten in their last ten games across all competitions. The Dragons have also recorded five consecutive clean sheets on home turf. The danger man for Porto is 24-year-old Evanilson, who has scored eight in his last seven matches. A player with a knack for the spectacular, he’ll be hoping to sink the Gunners early to throw the tie on its head.

Arsenal enter this tie as one of the favorites to win the entire tournament. Unbeaten in their last five, the Gunners have won all of their PL matches so far this calendar year, outscoring their opponents 19-2. However, this is a side lacking in UCL experience. Only a handful of Arsenal players know this level, so it will be an early test of their credentials. Mikel Arteta's side could potentially welcome back Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko, but it will come too soon for Partey and Porto-grown Fabio Vieira. That said, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Martin Ødegaard have all been on fire and will hope it continues.

Will Arsenal reignite their European quest on the right foot? Or will they wilt in what will surely be a cauldron in Porto? Join us on Wednesday afternoon at Dillons. Use your sick time. Go visit a “client” for a meeting. These pints won’t drink themselves!

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UTA

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