Ahead of their Champions League clash with Porto at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, Arsene Wenger remained confident that is side will qualify for the quarter-finals, despite the visitors holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg. Wenger however will have to do without Cesc Fabregas his inspirational captain, who aggravated his hamstring in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Burnley. Fabregas will be a huge loss to the Gunners domestic and European campaigns, and Wenger revealed that he is not prepared to gamble with the Spain midfielder for the visit of Porto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gifted
Fabregas will be a huge loss, and the statistics point to more goals and more wins when the 22-year old has played. Arsenal have an away goal to cling onto, courtesy of veteran central defender Sol Campbell, and Wenger will be hoping for a less of a controversial referee than Swedish official Martin Hansson who effectively gifted Porto the first leg victory with some very dubious decisions.

Gilt edged
Wenger however has backed both Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott in light of their contrasting fortunes against the Clarets at the week-end. The Dane may have fluffed several gilt edged chances, but Wenger has backed the 22-year old to add to his seven goals this season. Like Bendtner, Walcott has had to endure a stop start season, but the England forward did find the crucial second goal against Burnley to give the Gunners a real chance of securing another Premiership title. And Wenger has that in mind with his captain, who he hopes could make a return for Saturday’s away fixture at Hull. If not then Fabregas will not be rushed back just to suffer another injury because he came back too soon, noted Wenger.

Mesmerising
Porto of course suffered a 4-0 thrashing on their last visit to north London, and more of the same would be very welcome for Wenger. Alex Song will be available, with Abou Diaby starting and the mesmerising Samir Nasri asked to pick holes in the Porto defence as the Gunners search for the all important tie leveller. Campbell will be partnering Thomas Vermaelen and just as he was in Portugal, the 35-year-old England man will be ready, as he looks for back-to-back Champions League goals. With his goal at the week –end, expect Andrey Arshavin to be in the mood for more.

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