After a controversial first leg in which the Dragoes grabbed a 2-1 advantage, the Gunners will try to turn the tables on the Portuguese back in London

Mental Test

Arsenal host Porto on Tuesday night facing a deficit against the Dragoes that came about in a much-discussed manner. Not only did goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski have an evening to forget at the Estadio do Dragao, so too did referee Martin Hansson, whose handling of the Sol Campbell backpass incident that led to the second goal was the subject of intense scrutiny in the English press.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger certainly wasn’t pleased about the manner in which his side’s defeat came about and has work to do to rectify the situation in the English capital this week.

The temperament of the Emirates club has been examined closely in the past, but this term Arsenal have largely managed to bounce back from significant set-backs. Despite losing to Chelsea and Manchester United twice apiece in the league, they’ve shown fine consistency against the weaker Premier League teams to stay firmly in the title race.

Such a mentality is needed come Tuesday if they are to move through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition. Boasting a perfect record on home soil in the Champions League this season, and having won each of those encounters by at least two goals, the English side remain favourites to progress, despite their handicap.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas remains a significant worry for Arsene Wenger, though the Frenchman has indicated his willingness to take a risk on the Spaniard, who is both the club’s leading scorer and leading assist maker this season.

Sol Campbell will be available for the Gunners, but William Gallas faces another evening of frustration as he is consigned to the sidelines once more. Kieran Gibbs, Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie all remain long-term worries, as too does the unfortunate Aaron Ramsey.

Probable Starting XI: Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy; Diaby, Song, Fabregas; Nasri, Eduardo, Arshavin   

Porto

Several players were rested at the weekend in preparation for this encounter, including midfielder Raul Meireles and centre-back Rolando. 

Holding midfielder Fernando is out with an injury, while the travellers will also be shorn of Ernesto Farias and Orlando Sa. Diego Valeri is ineligible.

Probable Starting XI: Helton; Fucile, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Pereira; Belluschi, Costa, Meireles; Hulk, Falcao, Mariano

GOAL

Go Arsenal . . . .

Just too bad FAB4 aint playing - but as long as we've got diaby on the pitch (the perfect UCL fantasy player - he's never had a bad game in Europe) it's gonna be just fine for the gunners

Song's back, so no probs in central defence

AA23, TV5, Nasri, Rosky, all available - nothing spoil

GO GUNNERS!!!!

Just too bad FAB4 aint playing - but as long as we've got diaby on the pitch (the perfect UCL fantasy player - he's never had a bad game in Europe) it's gonna be just fine for the gunners

Song's back, so no probs in central defence

AA23, TV5, Nasri, Rosky, all available - nothing spoil

GO GUNNERS!!!!

FG 4
is confirmed. he is fit. UEFA.com

Cesc was substituted during the 3-1 win over Burnley with a hamstring injury. He will not face Porto. "Cesc is ruled out for tomorrow's game,” said Wenger on Monday. “He has a hamstring problem and we could not even take a gamble with him.
"I was hoping [he would recover] after the game because we were cautious with him. He was not adamant about coming out of the team but still he has damaged his hamstring and we cannot take a gamble on him."

http://www.arsenal.com/news/injury-news

Match begins

See Bendtner just chomping on gum - who does he think he is- Sir Alex

Goooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllll Bendtner

& chances on saturday, no goal

Tonite, 1t chance - 1st goal to the gunners!!!

Empty cabinet must go down tonit

be lyk say bendtner don open his eyes since last weekend's match. . .meanwhile Nasri

Dunno about you, but sagna's game is so predictable

Oh well, s long as its effective,

See my skippo for bench oo - e just dey like big boss

gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaalllllll Bendtner again!!!

Wetin e chop sef

Arshavin is just DA BOMB!!!!

BENTDNER!!!!!

Me thinks B52 went to Popeye for some spinach

Goodness 2-footed from Bendtner - coulda been a red card


Half time - 2-0 to the arsenal

Prince Nas scores the best goal I've seen this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Porto's liver has been slashed by a samurai's sword.

na wa ooo 4-0

EBBBBBBBBOOOOOUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Come on
The Arsenal are the best!!!!!!

Arsene!!!!

4th goal was vintage Arsenal
The invncibles would have been proud of that
Now I can enjoy my drink

Haterz said we would struggle without Cesc
No Cesc,Van Persie or Monsieur Gallas and its 4-0
Nas exits and Neves enters

My oh my, doesnt Nasri love that central role, a pity Cesc has it locked down. I think Arsene can find some games to play him there as I would love to see more of him in that role. Good game all round from the lads

Oh my God,Oh my God,Oh my God,Oh my God

They just showed a replay of Nasri's goal and I almost had or.ga.sm

Now Walcot got confidence!!

duduspace:

My oh my, doesnt Nasri love that central role, a pity Cesc has it locked down. I think Arsene can find some games to play him there as I would love to see more of him in that role. Good game all round from the lads

Great goal

The first of many hatricks for Mr Nic Bendtner
Arsenal wins 5-0

BENDTNER  hattrick!!

Eniti a ro pe ko le pa ago oti ti ko ile alaja mefa (the man we tot cant build a hut has built a six storey building)

shabbie:

BENDTNER  hattrick!!

Eniti a ro pe ko le pa ago oti ti ko ile alaja mefa (the man we tot cant build a hut has built a six storey building)

this is the best i've seen him ever!!!
just last season i was hoping they dispose him to a div 1 team

This is the kind of games that gives gunners belief and makes em think they got it going on.