There's no getting away from it, losing Cesc Fabregas is a big blow for Arsenal.
He is so important to that side you simply cannot question the fact that they would miss him even if he was out for just a little while.
But I really think Arsene Wenger has taken a close look at this and he wants to win the title; that is why it was worth risking him against Burnley - and it did the trick.
Bendtner: will not have another game like Saturday, says Thommo!
It also tells me that he is fairly confident they will have too much for Porto at The Emirates. It will be a different proposition for the Portuguese in north London and Wenger maybe doesn't feel it is necessary risking Fabregas and certainly not losing him for Premier League games.
It's a shame though, because you have to love watching him. This lad is so important to Arsenal, such a wonderful, wonderful talent and at 22, it is frightening to think how good he is going to get. I know there has been a lot of talk about him leaving Arsenal, but I really do hope that doesn't happen because it would be a terrible drain on the Premier League.
Crucial
And Fabregas owes Arsenal and this league. He, Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres have all become the players they are, playing at this standard every week and are all the better for it. I was amazed to see the goals he has scored from midfield this season (14 in the league) but it is the assists that show how crucial he is to his team.
I really think Arsene Wenger has taken a close look at this and he wants to win the title; that is why it was worth risking Cesc Fabregas against Burnley - and it did the trick. It also tells me that he is fairly confident they will have too much for Porto at The Emirates.
Phil Thompson
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What Arsene Wenger does without him, I am not sure. It might be Andrey Arshavin gets the nod because he is the closest to Fabregas they have and they nursed him back from injury nicely on Saturday. That said, Samir Nasri can play there as well because with Alex Song free from suspension, they do have plenty of options in midfield.
I do think we will see Nicklas Bendtner leading the line though. I was watching the game on Soccer Saturday and I don't think he'll ever have another game like that with as many chances, I really don't. But what I liked about Bendtner was afterwards when he came out and said he was happy to be getting on the end of those chances, in those positions to miss.
I was never a striker so know nothing about it, but some of the greatest goalscorers I have played with had the same attitude - and they also had those off-days now and again.
The thing to take from the Burnley game was that Arsenal created loads of chances. At times they were brilliant and although with all due respect to Saturday's opposition, you would expect Porto to be a little more solid at the back, I can see them doing something similar on Tuesday.
Porto are a decent, experienced side that pushed Chelsea all the way in the group game and did go and win their away game with Atletico Madrid. But they have never won in England and as well-organised as they might be, I don't think they will really believe they can come to the Emirates and finish the job.
Awful
For a start, the Arsenal defence and goalkeeper won't make two mistakes in the same match again like they did in Portugal. Both were awful, awful errors - not helped by the referee on the second one it must be said - and it was no surprise to see Manuel Almunia come straight back in for Lukasz Fabianski as soon as possible.
Had Porto had more of a hand in their goals then you might have fancied them. I suppose they will be looking to Hulk to cause some problems because, as his name suggests, he is a big old brute.
He will put himself about and rough defenders up, but Sol Campbell and Thomas Vermaelen are big enough and strong enough to cope with him.
Every now and then though, Hulk does get lucky; he manages to bulldoze his way through, a ball breaks for him or we have seen him catch speculative shots ever so cleanly, so that Arsenal defence will need to concentrate for the 90 minutes.
But the Gunners only need to win 1-0 and even without Fabgregas, I can see them creating more than enough chances to turn this tie around.
THOMMO'S CALL - I can't see Arsenal slipping up again, even without their influential little skipper. They were very poor in the first leg and were responsible for both Porto goals and I just don't see that happening again here. They created so many chances against Burnley and if one of those goes in early on Tuesday night, it will be a completely different story. I still have doubts about that Arsenal back four, but I think this is going to be a bit of a cruise for them, so to speak. I would say 2-0 - but it might even be more.
Comments (26)
Jude Davis (Arsenal fan) says...
5-0, that will do. Another impressive performance from Nasri, superb goal as well, he has excellent dribbling ability. Great to see Bendtner get goals tonight, it just shows if you put yourself in the box time after time you will get the goals, Burnley misses well and truly behind him now..ooh to ooh to be!
Posted 22:00 9th March 2010
Jack Tender (Arsenal fan) says...
I see Arsenal conceding at least a goal. Arsenal love dirty sheets. Concentration, composure and consistency are the three key elemnts that have been erratic for arsenal this season and we'll need them all in abundance to progress. cant wait for the match, very nervous tho :-s 2-1 / arsenal win on penalties Keep those sheets laundered!!
Posted 15:21 9th March 2010
Rhys Jaggar (Arsenal fan) says...
I must say I'd be surprised to see Fabregas go from Arsenal for one simple reason: he'd arguably be second choice at Barcelona for a few years but he's the King of North London already. To me, if he were to go back, he'd wait for Xawi Hernandez to get to 33ish, allow himself one season for the changing of the guard and be about 27 or 28 when he became the King back home. He might stay in London his whole career, you don't know. But to me it doesn't make sense in career terms for him to go to Barca right now. Unless I don't understand the pecking orders in Catalunya right now......or I don't understand how the Arsenal owners and manager see his role in the next couple of seasons.........
Posted 14:36 9th March 2010
Danny Higgins (Arsenal fan) says...
I'm still wary of Porto. They're a pretty consistent European team and can always pose a threat. Especially with our weak defense. I don't think it will be 4-1 like some people are suggesting. It's more likely to be 1-0 or 2-0. Bentner really needs to step up his game now. We've been patient enough. I know the boy's got the potential, he just needs to add that extra concentration to his game. If he steps up then it could possibly be 3-0. I also want to see more aggression from Walcott, the lad is incredibly fast, take people on! Run at them. I hate to say it but play like Aaron Lennon. I'd also like to add I've been impressed by Rosicky since his return.
Posted 14:20 9th March 2010
Victor Otabor (Arsenal fan) says...
Champion League nights are very nervy for me, especially with Arsenal playing and now today without "Fantastic" Fabrigas, but am hoping it will turn out good and well for Us tonight. With Song doing his thing in front of the back four, Walcott causing the left back of Porto problems and Eboue's threat going forward and the Assasin (Ashavin)'s ability to change the score line in favour of Arsenal, I see a slow build - up, but a good result from Arsenal. Not expecting "Mr miss"Bendtner to start, but Eduardo instead, but if he does or comes in later, please let in compensate Us for last Saturday with Burnley with at least a goal!!!!!!!!
Posted 12:37 9th March 2010
Homzie D (Manchester United fan) says...
Will the Gunners fire without Fabregas? Yes. Will they progress to the Quarters despite a 2-1 away loss? Yes. They are missing their captain CF4 but, they have so much quality like AA23, TR7, SN8, NB52, E9, TW14. They have so much quality to beat any team in Europe. Can they beat Porto tonight? Yes, they can and they will. Arsenal are good at home while Porto are woeful on their travels. That away goal for the Gunners could be very crutial. Home win for Arsenal. Arsenal 3 Porto 0 and Arsenal to progress 4-2 on aggregate.
Posted 11:51 9th March 2010
Patrick O'sullivan (Arsenal fan) says...
Unfortunately I can see the same old story happening tonight, Arsenal will have 20 shots on target and hit the post 5 times and our frail defense will mess up or score an own goal. Hope I am wrong but we have all been here before!
Posted 11:13 9th March 2010
Tommy Atkins (Arsenal fan) says...
It feels to me that the team is really coming together at the right time. Also, this is one of those games when you expect Arshavin to do his stuff. Nasri can do some wizardry as well. I think we'll be ok tonight and we should see some fantastic football. Porto may have a good gameplan for the first half but eventually they'll run out of ideas, especially if we get the vital first goal. Even if we don't, we'll be spending a lot of time in their penalty area and they just won't cope.
Posted 10:48 9th March 2010
Jamie Coleman (Aston Villa fan) says...
Fabregas is the Arsenal talisman, without him, Arsenal still have a number of match winners, Rosicky, Arshavin and even Walcott on his day. I Think Arsenal will win, but only narrowly. I feel it purely depends on which Arsenal team turns up.
Posted 08:33 9th March 2010
Fabrice Hatier (Arsenal fan) says...
Even without Fabregas, Arsenal will manage to win tomorrow against Porto. This will probably finish 3-0 for Arsenal. Bendtner and Arshavin will score !!! Nasri and Rosicky will play a big part of Arsenal¿s qualification tomorrow. Come on Arsenal !!!
Posted 00:45 9th March 2010
Adeyemi Johnson (Arsenal fan) says...
Yea Fabregas absence will be greatly felt just as any team will miss its most influential player but he is a player but not the squad and I think the squad is strong enough to deal with it.Barring any nervousness, I reckon we are going through.Goodluck guys.
Posted 00:32 9th March 2010
Archi Troko (Arsenal fan) says...
For the first time I think I actually agree with Mr Thompson! The profligacy that we displayed on saturday surely cannot be replayed or we'll come up short for ANY honours this season. Cesc will be heavily missed, however though, I feel that it might be to our advantage. Porto would've been looking to stop Cesc game - getting his supply to the 'forwards', however as Nasri showed on Saturday, it might liberate our other creative players to produce what we know they can. The worry, as has been far to frequent this season is our defence, but I see Big Sol, Verminator and Alex song keep Hulk and co. at bay. Arsenal for the double!:-)
Posted 23:01 8th March 2010
Matt Hodges (Arsenal fan) says...
have to agree with that Ryan guy. I worry bout our defence and if Porto manage to grab a goal it means we need 2 to draw. Im counting on Diaby and Nasri to do something special. Id put Sol on Hulk didnt even get a whiff of the ball against him. COME ON YOU GOONERS
Posted 21:20 8th March 2010
Okechukwu Ezimoha (Arsenal fan) says...
We all knew that in the game of soccer ninty minetes always decide the winner. But i am telling that arsnal has every oportunity to win this one come to morrow.arsene wenger is a good coach but not a maneger so arsnal winning depends on his ability to read tomorrow,s match and use his technicalities ability to make those boyz smile home. One advise to wenger,if those boyz loose tomorrow,s match, he(wennger) should forget everything about the premier league title because this game with porto fc is the staping stone to the pl title.
Posted 20:05 8th March 2010
Jodie Longuehaye (Arsenal fan) says...
I think that tomorrows game will have its difficulitys without Cesc Fabregas however i think that all the players will have to pull out the best they can like Samir Nasri did against Burnley on Saturday, if he plays like that tomorrow i can see Arsenal getting a lot of chances and this time actually taking them. I think they will win by 2 goals as its at home and Porto's away record to England is not brilliant.
Posted 19:06 8th March 2010
Jay Groves (Arsenal fan) says...
Big blow loseing cesc, But I still think we have enougth quality in attack to cause porto problems, il be happy with a 1-0 win, Arshavin to get the only goal of the game and put the gunners in the quaters ...
Posted 18:56 8th March 2010
Ashish dutt sharma (Arsenal fan) says...
With Fabregas out The odds are obviously not as much in favour of Arsenal as they would have been. The best available option to replace him would be in the form of Samir Nasri. Nasri has the skills to get past Porto. But if the finishing by Dane forward is anything close to what it was against Burnley , Arsenal might find it tough to make it to the last eight. The match also presents a perfect opportunity for the likes of Thomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin to redeem themselves in European Football. Walcott too has a point or more to prove when and if he happens to be in the starting eleven. Creating will not be an issue for Arsenal as they have done it throughout the season unless Porto decide to cling onto the anti-football tactics. And also the towering presence of Sol Campbell at the heart of the defence along with Vermaelen's agility would do a world of good in nullifying The only major Porto threat in the form of Hulk. If Arsenal play the way they have at Emirates throughout the season, A 2-0 or even a 3-1 scoreline iwould be nothing less than a cakewalk.
Posted 18:49 8th March 2010
James Lally (Arsenal fan) says...
As long as they dont give away another early goal they should survive.I really dont see the Gunners giving them a good going over but a respectable 3-1 win looks likely . There captian is a driving force and will be missed , however there confidence is high and a lot of young men in red want to prove themselves before the summer . Unfortunately the key players in this game are Campbell and bendtner , if they have a decent game its going to be curtians for Porto .
Posted 17:35 8th March 2010
Kaycee Sunshine (Arsenal fan) says...
its such a shame fab is out.watching this guy is my ultimate pleasure as an arsenal fan. nevertheless,with incredible samir and in form diaby and song ready to gear in,i think we will not miss too much of him. the back 5 should as a matter of necessity avoid conceding any goal. porto is a highly attacking team and they are not about to change that for any reason so while we strive massively in attack, we should also return and defend massively. in arsene i trust and am sure he will not disappoint us tomorrow.
Posted 17:00 8th March 2010
Naiem Esmail (Arsenal fan) says...
I think Arsenal will miss Fabrigas with his flair and creativity through midfield. I think they will do well to win Porto tie
Posted 16:43 8th March 2010
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