Champions League

[monks data]

Champions League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg

Feb 21, 2024 at 8pm UK

Estadio Do Dragao

Porto
1 - 0
Arsenal

(agg: -)

Galeno (90+4')
Conceicao (52'), Conceicao (52'), Gonzalez (62')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Rice (2'), Kiwior (57'), Havertz (61')

Arsenal team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Porto

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 18 February 2024

Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Porto.

Champions League action takes centre stage for Arsenal on Wednesday evening, as the Gunners travel to Porto for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

After ending a seven-year exile from Europe's grandest stage, Mikel Arteta's men earned a ticket to the knockout rounds thanks to a first-placed finish in Group B, taking 13 points from 18 against PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla.

Arsenal remain in contention for a maiden Premier League and Champions League double too, having thrashed Burnley 5-0 on Saturday to remain just two points behind leaders Liverpool in second place in the table.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their first leg with Porto, who finished as runners-up in Group H behind Barcelona.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates scoring for Arsenal on November 11, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Porto)

Oleksandr Zinchenko's latest calf problem is still giving him grief, and having failed to make the cut for the clash with Burnley, Wednesday's first leg could also come too soon for the Ukrainian.

Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring their first goal on January 28, 2024 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Porto)

Similarly, Gabriel Jesus's knee issue did not let up in time for the weekend, and the quick turnaround means that the striker is still a major doubt for the trip to Portugal, especially given his history of knee concerns.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrates scoring their fifth goal on October 28, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Knock
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Porto)

Takehiro Tomiyasu is yet to make his domestic comeback from the Asian Cup due to a knock, and with Arteta remaining tight-lipped over the defender's fitness as well, it is unclear whether he will be in contention to feature on Wednesday.

Jurrien Timber

Arsenal's Jurrien Timber comes off injured on August 12, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown

Jurrien Timber has been included in Arsenal's squad for the Champions League knockout stages, offering hope that he will be back from his ACL injury before the end of the season, but he is still nowhere near a first-team return.

Thomas Partey

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Porto)

Thomas Partey has spent almost four months on the sidelines due to a thigh injury and subsequent operation, but he is believed to be in with a slight chance of making the squad for the first leg, having stepped up his recovery from a recent setback.

Fabio Vieira

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: February 21 (vs. Porto)

Similarly, Arteta has confirmed that Fabio Vieira might be involved against his former club this week, as the Portugal playmaker enters the final stages of his rehabilitation from groin surgery.