Porto plan Arsenal attack

2004 winners prepared to go for jugular against Gunners

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 7th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Porto plan Arsenal attack

Hulk: Ready for battle

We will not be ultra-defensive in London - that's not our style and to try to play that way would be a disaster for us

Raul Meireles
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Hulk has led calls from the Porto camp that they will not change their attacking style for Tuesday's crunch UEFA Champions clash with Arsenal.

The Brazilian marksman is currently serving a four-month domestic ban after the 23-year-old assaulted a steward in a tunnel bust-up at Benfica last December but is likely to start against the Gunners because he is still eligible to play in Europe.

And Hulk, who admits he holds the hope of going to the World Cup with the Samba Kings, admits he will continue to play with the same tenacity which has previously got him into trouble with opponents and officials.

Goal target

"I get kicked a lot - and I get frustrated and irritated if I get fouled and refs don't blow for it," argued Givanildo Vieira de Souza, Hulk's real name.

"But what I want is to play and I want to help Porto win the Champions League. If I score goals and play well, I have a chance of going to the World Cup. We want to go to London and get a good result."

Hulk, who earned his nickname thanks to his resemblance to Lou Ferrigno, the actor who played the comic book character in a hit television series, has smashed three goals in seven Champions League games so far.

And Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded the former Tokyo Verdy frontman is Porto's dangerman for the Emirates fixture.

"I know he has been suspended in the Portuguese League but he has tremendous pace and power so we will want to keep him quiet," said the French tactician whose side trail 2-1 going into the last 16 second leg fixture.

Chaos

Meanwhile, Porto midfielder Raul Meireles has echoed Hulk's claims by insisting the Portuguese champions are planning to go for the jugular in North London.

"We will not be ultra-defensive in London," warned the Porto vice-captain. "That's not our style and to try to play that way would be a disaster for us.

"Arsenal are a dangerous team in attack and to give them the ball would cause chaos for us.

"The big battle will be in midfield. We must stop Cesc Fabregas but also the other men in that area.

"I'm optimistic and our squad have the confidence and belief that we will reach the last eight."