Despite not having a true pure fully fit striker the past two games, Arsenal FC rolled up 11 goals. Granted the next opponent, FC Porto, will provide a stronger resistance than Burnley FC (who yielded five goals to the Gunners on Saturday) or West Ham United (who shipped out six to the North Londoners the previous weekend).
It is not likely that the men of Mikel Arteta will put another 5+ up here in midweek continental competition, but hey, you just have never know?
Arsenal at FC Porto FYIs
Kickoff: Wed. Feb. 21, 8pm, Estadio Do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Competition: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Leg 1/2
Arsenal Preview Content: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Result Probability: Arsenal FC 57% Draw 25% FC Porto 18%
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Will Arteta keep Leandro Trossard (who is more of a winger/attacking midfielder) in the center forward role? Or will the man who came off the bench to replace him last time out Eddie Nketiah (who is more of a natural choice for that position), get the first team assignment here?
Here is our best guess, for what it is worth.
Arsenal Starting XI Prediction at FC Porto (Champions League)
David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jakub Kiwior; Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz; Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter.