Arsenal host FC Porto for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, so here is everything you need to know including how to watch the game live on TV in the UK.
The Gunners trail the Dragoes 1-0 on aggregate following the first leg on February 21 thanks to a 93rd-minute strike from Galeno. Porto stole an advantage deep into stoppage time with a superb strike into the top of David Raya’s goal after Gabriel Martinelli turned over the ball.
Porto punished Arsenal for starting slowly and also offering next to nothing in the final third. Despite Mikel Arteta’s side enjoying 65% of the possession, the Emirates Stadium club could only take seven shots to their host’s eight. Arsenal also had zero on target as Porto sent two.
Arteta will now need to lean on Arsenal’s historic strength against Porto to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals. While the Gunners have never beaten the Dragoes on the road through four visits, they have won each of their three ties at home without conceding.
Arsenal also beat Porto 5-0 in the second leg of their last 16 tie in 2010 to make the quarter-finals. It further marks the last time that Arsenal progressed beyond the last 16 after seven straight exits from 2010/11 to 2016/17. They lost in the 2010 quarter-finals to FC Barcelona.
So, here is everything you need to know about their last 16 second leg in 2023/24 as Arteta looks to follow in Arsene Wenger’s footsteps by guiding Arsenal to a turnaround over Porto.
When is Arsenal vs FC Porto?
UEFA has scheduled the second leg of Arsenal and Porto’s Champions League last 16 tie for Tuesday, March 12. It has also arranged the clash in north London to kick off at 20:00 GMT.
How to watch Arsenal vs FC Porto
Fans in the UK can watch the reverse tie of Arsenal and Porto’s Champions League knockout encounter live on TV through TNT Sports. It will broadcast the tie on TNT Sports 1, plus in 4k on TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage also begins on both channels with build-up at 19:00 GMT.
Live stream of Arsenal vs FC Porto
UK-based fans can also listen to a live audio-only commentary stream of Arsenal and Porto’s Champions League last 16 second leg fixture via BBC Radio 5 Live with build-up from 19:00.
Arsenal team and injury news
Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz started against Brentford on Saturday and sent Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table. Arteta might have to rely on Trossard at home to Porto, too, with Martinelli unlikely to return from the cut to his foot he sustained at Sheffield United.
Martinelli was unable to train this Monday as he continues to recover from his foot injury at London Colney. So, Trossard could earn back-to-back starts on their left wing. While Havertz may expect to start ahead of Gabriel Jesus again after scoring the winner against Brentford.
Arteta is also unlikely to have Takehiro Tomiyasu back until after the upcoming international break due to a calf injury. The defender has not featured since New Year’s Eve after suffering the issue whilst at the Asian Cup. But Tomiyasu is back in training as he closes in on a return.
Arsenal’s treatment room may even empty over the international break with Jurrien Timber constantly getting closer to his long-awaited return. The Dutchman has not played since the opening day of the Premier League term in August after requiring surgery for his ACL injury.
Prediction: Arsenal (3) vs (1) FC Porto
Arteta will want Arsenal to start strongly at Emirates Stadium to overturn their 1-0 first-leg deficit against Porto on Tuesday. The Gunners responded in the perfect way to their defeat at the Estadio do Dragao last month by bursting out of the gates to stun Newcastle United.
Sven Botman’s 18th-minute own goal gave Arsenal the edge before Havertz (24’) added the second. Bukayo Saka (65’) and Jakub Kiwior (69’) also fired in very quick succession in the second half. While Arsenal then even led 5-0 after just 39 minutes away to Sheffield United.
If Arsenal can start strongly and score early, they will be confident of overturning the deficit and eliminating Porto. But if the Gunners start slowly like they did at the Estadio do Dragao and allow the Dragoes to grow into the tie, it could become a very cagey affair quite quickly.
History also favours Arsenal, with the Liga Portugal giants still yet to score a goal – let alone take a result – from Emirates Stadium. Porto have visited the Gunners three times, all in the Champions League, so far. But Arsenal won 2-0 in 2006, 4-0 in 2008 and even 5-0 in 2010.
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