Why Mikel Arteta must harshly drop ‘confident’ Arsenal star to start £30m player vs Porto

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Arsenal are set to face FC Porto in a crucial Champions League knockout tie, where they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Despite Arsenal’s recent incredible Premier League form, they could not translate their goal threat to European competition, as they failed to register a single shot on target in Porto in the first leg of the knockout tie.

Porto set up to defend deep, and frustrated Arsenal with timewasting and tactical fouling in full force, and manager Sergio Conceicao defended the approach by pointing out the result.

Arsenal faced similar issues as Brentford copied Porto’s blueprint at the weekend, but found a winner through Kai Havertz.

The Brentford game saw Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus appear at the Emirates for the first time after long injury layoffs, and both should perhaps start tonight to help give Arsenal what they lacked in the first leg.

Oleksandr Zinchenko should start for Arsenal vs Porto

Jakub Kiwior has started to perform well for Arsenal at left-back after initially struggling, with the defender recently described as “confident” following some strong recent displays.

However, this came as a result of Ben White changing into an inverted role. Kiwior could not replicate Zinchenko’s outstanding ability in build-up and has only performed well in a more traditional defensive role.

Against Porto, Arsenal were lacking composure on the ball, and incisive passes into the final third. Zinchenko can bring that in abundance should he come in for the second leg, with Mikel Arteta’s side expected to dominate the ball, the £30m defender can provide a marginal gain when it comes to these passes.

Zinchenko’s Champions League experience could be crucial

Zinchenko, like Jesus, is one of Arsenal’s most experienced Champions League players, and started the final as Manchester City faced Chelsea in 2021.

European ties often require experience and a sense of know-how which Arsenal desperately lacked in the away leg, and Zinchenko could have been a pivotal figure if he was fit for the tie in Porto.

Zinchenko performed well against Brentford as he helped Arsenal drive the ball forward to help break down the deep block, and with tonight’s game expected to be played out in a similar manner, he could be the key to creating what will be a crucial opening goal, which they could not find in Porto.

Whilst there may be concerns over his defensive ability, having Jesus start on the left wing with him could help, with the Brazilian’s work-rate and linkup play also needed in this important fixture.