Arsenal confirmed team news vs Porto as Trossard starts up front, Vieira back in squad
Mikel Arteta has confirmed his Arsenal starting XI for their Champions League first leg clash with FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao.
The Gunners go into the game hoping to secure their first progression beyond the round of 16 since 2010. Ironically their opponents were Porto then, and having experienced several exits at this stage of the competition during his playing career with Arsenal, Arteta is keen to break the bad run.
«We have earned the right to be here,» he said in his pre-match press conference. «It’s been seven years since we’ve been at the top table for these kind off matches and 14 years since we were able to go to the next stage. That’s the challenge. We know what is ahead of us but we are very excited to face it and to go for it with full belief, that’s for sure.»
In order to do that he has named a strong starting XI. David Raya continues in goal as has been the custom in this competition with Aaron Ramsdale staying on the bench.
In defence Arsenal are unchanged. That means that Jakub Kiwior continues in the side at left back with both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu out injured. There had been some hopes that Tomiyasu could return for this match, but he was not involved in the Gunners' training session at London Colney prior to their travel to Portugal.
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In midfield it's Declan Rice at the base with Martin Odegaard in the right eight position. That means that Kai Havertz keeps his place with Jorginho on the bench. The German is back at the stadium where he scored the winner in the Champions League final three years ago with Chelsea and Arteta has spoken highly of his recent form for
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