Despite having the weekend off, Arsenal have somehow managed to be decimated by injuries ahead of their match against FC Porto tonight. The fixture marks the start of the Champions League knockout rounds, and the Gunners have a tough task in store for them if they are to turn over the reigning Portuguese champions at the Estadio do Dragao this evening. Porto are currently off the pace in their own domestic competition, and like the Gunners sit in third position in their respective league.

A series of injuries have rocked Arsene Wenger’s squad ahead of this evening’s tricky encounter. Long-term absentees such as Johan Djourou, Robin van Persie and Kieran Gibbs are joined on the sidelines by Andrey Arshavin, Alex Song, Manuel Almunia, Eduardo and William Gallas. With so few players fit and ready for tonight’s fixture, picking the most likely lineup is rather easy. I think we’ll line up something like this:

Rosicky – Bendtner – Nasri
Diaby – Denilson – Fabregas
Clichy – Vermaelen – Campbell – Eboue
Fabianski

BENCH: Mannone, Silvestre, Sagna, Traore, Ramsey, Vela, Walcott.

Now while that line-up is very likely there could also be some very possible amendments. Bacary Sagna may reclaim his spot at right back at the expense of Emmanuel Eboue,  while Theo Walcott may be used up front instead of Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky. Apart from that I think everything else is set in stone.

The injury to gallas will mean that Sol Campbell will play his first Champions League match since the 2006 final (in which he scored), while his central defensive partner Vermaelen will be playing through the pain barrier as he is not completely recovered from his ankle injury.

I am far more worried about the capabilities of Vermaelen than Campbell, as although the Belgian is the better player, his injury woes may restrict his ability. On the other hand, Campbell has been impressive since his return and it appears as though he can be depended upon at the back.

Hosts Porto aren’t without their own injury worries, and coach Jesualdo Ferreira will be wondering how his side will hit the back of the net this evening considering that they have just one solitary forward fit and ready to play.

With Orlando Sa and Ernesto Farias struggling to overcome their respective injury woes and Hulk out since before Christmas, Colombian Radamel Falcao is Porto’s only match fit striker. Also injured for the Portuguese side is playmaker Ruben Micael, while Raul Meireles will be making his return.

In a nutshell, this game will be a tricky encounter. When you consider the venue for tonight’s game this was always going to be a tough fixture, however add in the fact that the Gunners are devoid of many star players and Arsene Wenger really has his work cut out for him. Porto aren’t without their own troubles though, and I think that if anyone snatches a win it will be us. I’m tipping a draw though, and a draw in which we score will be a particularly good result.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 2:41 AM and is filed under Arsenal, Champions League, Match Previews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.