Wenger - Away goal crucial

Gunners boss confident of progression against Porto

By James Riach   Last updated: 8th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger - Away goal crucial

Wenger: Crucial away goal

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the away goal scored in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League tie against Porto will prove to be crucial.

The Gunners go into the return tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday trailing 2-1 after a defeat in the Estadio do Dragao, but Wenger is confident his side can overturn the lead and progress to the quarter-finals.

A 1-0 win in North London will be enough after Sol Campbell headed home a crucial away goal in Portugal.

Arsenal, however, have not overturned a first leg deficit in European competition for more than 30 years, and will be without influential captain Cesc Fabregas for the game.

But Wenger believes this time it is different: "This time, we have scored.

"When you lose 1-0 away from home it is a difficult game because when you start the next game you know it is almost over because you have to score two or three goals to qualify.

"This time it is different - if we score one and do not concede then we will qualify.

"I do not think anyone will be complacent.

"We know it will be a tricky game, but we believe we can do it.

"We have good confidence, we are in a good position, so let's go for it."

Arsenal thrashed Porto 4-0 the last time the visitors travelled to the Emirates - their worst ever away result in the competition.

The Gunners come into the game on the back of a 3-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, while Porto are third in their domestic league following a 2-2 home draw against Olhanense at the weekend.