Sep 30
Match Preview: Arsenal v FC Porto (Champions League)

Arsene Wenger said he felt “physically sick” after Sunday’s shock defeat by Hull City but the Arsenal manager will be hoping to get his European campaign back on track with a win against Portuguese Champions FC Porto this evening.
The Gunners’ only previous home defeat to a newly promoted side was against West Ham in February 2006: in their next European game they recorded a famous 1-0 win at Real Madird to set them on the road to the quarter-finals and eventually the final in Paris.
France midfielder Samir Nasri returns to the squad for tonights clash with Porto.
Nasri has been out with a knee injury since late August but is available to face the Portuguese side.
Alex Song (hip) joins Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Amaury Bischoff and Eduardo in the treatment room.
Arsene Wenger has said he will make changes following the shock defeat by Hull, with Mikael Silvestre among those hoping for starts.
Predicted Starting XI
Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Silvestre
Eboue – Fabregas – Denilson – Nasri
Adebayor – Bendtner
Match Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 FC Porto
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Leave your views and predictions of tonights game in the comments section below.
Tags: Adebayor, arsenal, bendtner, Champions League, denilson, Eboue, Fabregas, Gallas, nasri, sagna, silvestre, toure, Wenger







Cant see AW starting Silvestre on such an important match – more likely he would come on as sub.
Have a feeling you are right about Eboue though – but would prefer to see theo
eboue deserves to start imo just not wide left,
yeah i think this will be the starting line up:
almunia
sagna toure gallas clichy
eboue fabregas denilson nasri
adebayor vela. i dony know why but i think vela will start, my OPinon.
arsene derserves a better effort from his team ,
Wenger made many changes (!)
http://arsenalcolumn.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/mach-preview-arsenal-v-fc-porto/
Only change from the Hull game is Eboue out and Nasri in.
Lucho on the bench!!!
Arsenal:Almunia,
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Clichy
Walcott – Fabregas – Denilson – Nasri
Adebayor – Van Persie
Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou, Bendtner, Eboue
FC Porto: Line Up (4-5-1)
Helton
Sapunaru, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Benitez
Fernando – Meireles – Guarin – Costa- Rodriguez
Lisandro Lopez
Subs: Pedro Emmanuel, Candeias, Lucho, Hulk, Lino, Nuno, Stepanov
nasri may play centre, RVP on left
very worried about that midfield line up is it strong enough ?
Nasri is key
Player Ratings?