Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has named his starting line-up for tonight’s Champions League encounter against Porto at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat during the first leg of the round of 16 tie and they will be aiming to make amends to reach the quarter-final stage.
Ahead of the game, Arteta has made a single change from the 2-1 Premier League win over Brentford.
In goal, David Raya reclaims his place ahead of Aaron Ramsdale, who had an eventful London derby.
Ramsdale made a huge blunder which helped the Bees equalise, but he redeemed himself in the second half with two outstanding saves before Kai Havertz’s winner.
Despite this, the 25-year-old has dropped to the bench with Raya back in goal. The Spaniard was ineligible to face Brentford, having joined on loan from the west London side.
There are no changes elsewhere. We had predicted the manager to pick Oleksandr Zinchenko over Jakub Kiwior at left-back due to his creativity and ability to invert into midfield.
However, Arteta has gone with a settled backline of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kiwior. Similarly, Jorginho and Declan Rice start in the centre of the park.
In attack, Leandro Trossard has retained his spot ahead of Gabriel Jesus on the left wing. Jesus has four goals and two assists from five European outings this term, but he starts on the bench.
Gabriel Martinelli has not made the squad altogether, having yet to recover from a nasty cut on his left foot at Sheffield United. As a result, he has also withdrawn from Brazil duty.
Confirmed Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Porto: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Havertz.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️🧤 Raya between the sticks🧱 Saliba at the back🪄 Havertz leads the lineLet’s make it count, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/tjb6rvXTn7— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 12, 2024
Stats from Transfermarkt.com