FC Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira says keeping a clean sheet in the opening leg of their first knockout round tie against Arsenal FC will have a big bearing on whether his team progress.


While admitting encounters with Arsenal FC are "always open", Jesualdo Ferreira has pinpointed shutting out "one of the best teams in the competition" as key if his FC Porto side are to have a chance of winning their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie. Opposite number Arsène Wenger was equally forthcoming with praise, saying Porto have "no weaknesses".

Jesualdo Ferreira, Porto coach
''We usually study how a team plays, but we know Arsenal will maintain their style. They didn't start the Premier League well but are now recovering, just like us after we lost Lisandro and Lucho at the end of last season. A match between Arsenal and Porto is always open and I'm sure it will be very attractive to watch. Raul Meireles and Hulk will be available – they both bring experience and add quality to the team. Hulk is in good shape after training well, and although he lacks match fitness, he is still keen to play. Raul has international experience and I hope he plays to the best of his ability.

Raul and Rúben Micael must stick to the game plan – that's all they have to do. We are playing well and Arsenal bring the ideal opponent to display our true quality against. We really want to progress but we know Arsenal are one of the best teams in the competition. Not conceding at home is crucial, but a win would bring us great confidence. It's not easy to manage a team that has two games a week, especially with the injuries and suspensions we've had, but we have to think game by game.''

Arsène Wenger, Arsenal manager
''Our main concern is to play the best we can. Sol Campbell is important because of his experience but I still don't know if he is going to play. We have a policy and if we believe in a young player, like [Nicklas] Bendtner, we stick with him until the end. Bendtner has a lot of potential, he has a lot to give. Porto are a very good team and have a good group of technical players.

I would compare Porto to ourselves; they have a good scouting team and make the right transfer decisions. The most important thing for us is to play our best and we expect Porto to have no weaknesses. We know about Hulk; he's a very good player but he is not the only good one Porto have. [Łukasz] Fabiański will play, I believe in him. He is at the top level and has a lot potential. The result is not easy to predict – you have to be on top for 180 minutes.''

Team news
Porto
Out: Ernesto Farías (knee), Cristián Rodríguez (thigh)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: none

• Rúben Micael hurt his shoulder in the weekend draw at Leixões SC but Porto are hopeful he will be fit.

Arsenal
Out: Andrei Arshavin (hamstring), Kieran Gibbs (broken foot), Johan Djourou (knee), Robin van Persie (ankle), Eduardo (hamstring), Alex Song (knee), William Gallas (back), Manuel Almunia (finger)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Gaël Clichy, Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie

• Carlos Vela has travelled after overcoming a knee injury.

• Campbell is back in the Arsenal squad after signing in January and could take Gallas's place. His last UEFA Champions League appearance for the Gunners was in the 2006 final, when he opened the scoring in the 2-1 loss to FC Barcelona in Paris.

UEFA

Arsenal should win this.

BlueDiva:

Arsenal should win this.

in Portugal? e no fit happen

the best they can get is a draw even tho i know Porto will win 2-1
Arsenal to go thru tho

I think the best Arsenal will get is a draw!
However, I will comment more,when I see the line up for the match!

No Asharvin, Eduardo, Gallas, Song and Almunia

ure on ur own o

commot for dia
my carling cup team will give porto a run for their money.

tayo, you make me laugh in spanish
u guys shd just pray for a draw

L'ars to win. . .

3 - 1

FAB4
B52
Sol

elowa:

tayo, you make me laugh in spanish
u guys shd just pray for a draw

do you want to wager?
Arsenal will be in the q-finals not porto

tkb417:

in Portugal? e no fit happen

the best they can get is a draw even tho i know Porto will win 2-1
Arsenal to go thru tho

With what i just read about their injury crisis,
They'd be lucky to leave with a 2 nil loss.

Hey peeps,daps and hugs y'all
Arsenal will rock 2nite
PO

BlueDiva:

With what i just read about their injury crisis,
They'd be lucky to leave with a 2 nil loss.

grandma concentrate on your game and stop beefing, remember Jose has never lost to any of his previous clubs

Porto in it to win it.

mykali:

Porto in it to win it.

maybe wit your PS3 if you have one. . . .

Go gooners 4 nil

May the best man win.

i hope we can take it but my major prayer this season is that cesc does not leave,

Men, this is gonna be a very difficult mssion with this latest injury crisis - no Song, Arshavin, Eduardo, gallas or almunia

But i'm confident in the squad we have 2nite; diaby playing this match, my mind dey kampe (he's never had a bad game in the CL, even when gunners lose); & the bench this season has been a lot stronger than past seasons

I still expect a good nite for my boiz sha, no shaking

3-1 to the Gunners

eddiebomba:

Men, this is gonna be a very difficult mssion with this latest injury crisis - no Song, Arshavin, Eduardo, gallas or almunia

But i'm confident in the squad we have 2nite; diaby playing this match, my mind dey kampe (he's never had a bad game in the CL, even when gunners lose); & the bench this season has been a lot stronger than past seasons

I still expect a good nite for my boiz sha, no shaking

what difference does Eduardo n almunia make, they bring absolutely nothing to the team anyway

I have a feeling after this round that Wenger will be facing his old foe Mourinho in the quarters.

PORTO SCORE!!!!

Clichy was sodomised again on the left.

goallllllll porto

Christ sake!. is this a curse? that was an embarrassing spill.

PoOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Fabiansky is world class he should be benching alumina. His display tonite is spot on.

edoyad:

I have a feeling after this round that Wenger will be facing his old foe Mourinho in the quarters.

From this world class display by Febiansky and Clichy. U berra wake up from this slumber.

Campbell equalises.

What a HEADER!!!

Goalllllllllll campbelllllllllllllllllllllll

Important away goal. . .

That is if Clichy, Fabianski and co do not ship in 4 goals at the other end

Rubbish!!!!

great shot roscisky

d old warhorse scores.its lukn gd @ d momnt.Y on earth does wenger kip mannone on d bench?