Arsenal supporters likely breathed a huge sigh of relief when their name was drawn against Porto for the Champions League last 16.
On paper, the Portuguese side are one of the weaker sides remaining in the competition and the fact that they’re currently seven points off Benfica – who finished third in their Champions League group – in the Primeira Liga would suggest that Arsenal should secure their quarter-final spot with little fuss.
However, Porto have a wealth of experience in the Champions League knockout phase and boast a squad that contains some extremely talented individuals. Sergio Conceicao’s side are not to be dismissed and any complacency from the Gunners will be punished.
Here are the Porto players that Arsenal must watch out for in the Champions League last 16.
Porto have plenty of menacing attackers in their ranks, a number of which are quintessentially Brazilian. Pepe – not the 40-year-old former Real Madrid centre-back who also plays at the Estadio do Dragao – is one of those that boasts plenty of South American flair, the winger having posted some decent numbers in Europe so far.
The 26-year-old, who earned his first senior Brazil cap last November, has shown his versatility for Porto this term, playing in a variety of positions and roles across the front line. Pepe has netted two goals and laid on six assists across the Primeira Liga and Champions League so far, and his flexibility could give Mikel Arteta some food for thought.
The arrival of Declan Rice last summer has helped Arsenal control the midfield battle in big games this season, with Jorginho also proving a handy sidekick in difficult encounters. However, Stephen Eustaquio has the ability to unsettle the Gunners in central areas, the Canada international’s ferocious nature a real asset to Porto.
The 27-year-old has been in impressive form this term and has started all six of his side’s European fixtures. A talented, press-resistant playmaker, Eustaquio ranks in the top 15% of midfielders for tackles and interceptions in the Champions League, while also offering Porto an attacking threat in the opposition half.
Evanilson has proved himself as Porto’s main goal threat this season, netting 19 times in 26 appearances in all competitions. The Brazilian has scored four in five European outings, albeit all of them came in two appearances against Champions League debutants Royal Antwerp in the group stage.
Only four players have scored more than Evanilson in the Champions League so far, with the speedy forward also the first line of defence in Porto’s press. He’s likely to keep Gabriel and William Saliba busy in the last 16 and has the ability to punish any Arsenal sloppiness in the backline.
One of the standout performers in this season’s Champions League, Wenderson Galeno completes a triumvirate of exciting attacking Brazilians for Porto. The winger, who predominantly features on the left-hand side, has four goals and three assists in just five European matches, standing out in games home and away against Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 26-year-old has done an admirable job replacing Luis Diaz since his move to Liverpool and Ben White will be tested repeatedly by the attacker’s trickery and pace. Galeno ranks in the top percentile for goals, assists and carries into the penalty area among forwards in this year’s Champions League, as well as in the top four percent for fouls drawn and progressive carries per 90.
