Things of Interest

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Preview: Fc Porto VS Arsenal

Arsenal welcome back William Gallas and Abou Diaby for the Champions League trip to Porto - but will rest captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

As the Gunners have already qualified - and with one eye on Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at Middlesbrough - full-backs Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy, strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie and centre-half Kolo Toure are also staying in London.

Youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs, Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall, Fran Merida, Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson all make the travelling squad, which also includes midfielder Emmanuel Eboue - who was jeered off in Saturday's home game against Wigan.

Arsene Wenger will give Emmanuel Eboue the chance to silence the Arsenal boo-boys.

The Ivory Coast midfielder suffered the ignominy of being replaced minutes from the end of the 1-0 win over Wigan on Saturday following a run of poor touches which had the crowd on his back.

Eboue had just returned from a six-week spell on the sidelines and was only brought on to replace Samir Nasri during the first half.

Wenger admitted he removed the 25-year-old from the firing line because he feared another lapse in concentration could lead to his team conceding a costly late goal.

However, he sees no reason why Eboue should not be able to produce a performance in the Estadio do Dragao, where avoiding defeat would see Arsenal - who have already qualified for the last 16 - through as group winners.

"Emmanuel Eboue will start,'' Wenger confirmed. "He is completely in the right frame of mind.

"Of course he was disappointed for a few days but football is magic because you have the next game and in that you have the opportunity to show how good you are.''

Wenger was also quick to remind Gunners fans of how fortunate they were to be watching such an exciting young team, one which deserved their full support during the game.

"You can understand everything when you are in football. However, you want your fans to be behind the team for 90 minutes,'' he said.

"After the game, everyone is entitled to have an opinion. We accept any opinion at the club and are open to everyone's opinion.

"But no matter what happens you still want your fans to be behind the team during the 90 minutes.

"I believe they [the fans] have been swayed by the scepticism from the media which has affected their belief, which can have consequences on the team.

"I believe they are lucky to have an extremely young team with a magnificent talent who can do extremely well.

"These players want to do well, they have the potential to do well, and they can fight against the scepticism.

"There is only one way for the fans to help that. You want your fans to be behind the team because they deserve it.''

Wenger, who will reach another milestone when he takes charge of his 700th game in charge of the Gunners, insists his side will not be over-confident against Porto.

"We know when we travel in the Champions League they are always difficult games,'' he said.

"Maybe Porto will play with a bit less pressure because they are already qualified - and that can sometimes make them more dangerous. We will be completely focused and prepared to be at our best.''

Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira maintains there will be "no vendetta'' when Arsenal come to Estadio do Dragao to decide who finishes top of Champions League Group G.

The Gunners romped to a 4-0 victory over the Portuguese side at Emirates Stadium in September - a result which actually flattered the visitors such was the dominance of Wenger's men.

Nevertheless, following away wins over both Dynamo Kiev and Fenerbahce, Porto - who won the Champions League in 2003/2004 under Jose Mourinho - have, like Arsenal, now already made sure of their place in the last 16.

Porto have never lost to an English side at home in Europe and Ferreira maintains, with the pressure off, nothing other than three points will be at stake.

"There will be no vendetta against Arsenal. Porto will be just playing with great responsibility,'' Ferreira said.

"It is very important to progress in this competition. It is what every player and coach wants.

"The game will be just to decide who is first or second, nothing else.

"Both teams will come here relaxed because they are already qualified, and so it should be a great game to watch.

"It is in our philosophy to win every game and we will play to do that.''

History would favour the draw, which would send Arsenal through as group winners, given six of Porto's 10 previous home contests against English opposition have finished all-square.

Go Gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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