Europe returns. Will Arsenal's form?

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
17 Feb	7:45 PM	CL	Fc Porto (A)	1	2	Lost

"One-nil to the Arsenal" used to be a knock on our knack for only being able to muster one goal victories. Well, "One nil to the Arsenal" never felt so good. Arsenal needed to stop the bleeding. After being dismantled by United and Chelsea on back to back Sundays, Arsenal were on the verge of hemorrhaging their league campaign away. The result against Liverpool was the clot Wenger required. Liverpool's form has improved but their attack has not. They were getting results because they are organised and tough to breakdown. Arsenal wanted to attack, they were at home and controlled possession, but this observer was impressed with the discipline displayed. Arsenal were always trying to score, but not at the expense of getting caught on the counter again. Song and Diaby, along with the fullbacks, were constantly making sure they were in the right position on the pitch. Many times they resisted the urge to go forward.

It was the type of game that required extreme brilliance or a defensive mistake to break the deadlock. In the end, the mistake was made by Deegan and Rosicky combined with Diaby to capitalize. Fifteen minutes of clearing lines, holding on, a final whistle, and Arsenal walked off the pitch winners again. The results came in. Manchester United dropped two. Chelsea dropped three. Arsenal are six back. The run in begins. For now, it is a three horse race. Our horse has the best path to the finish line, but right now is still a couple lengths back. Time to crack the whip...

Europe returns. The big question now: Will Arsenal's form? Ideally, leading up to a big European tie you want to have sustained momentum. You know... a good feeling in the air, the squad is banging in goals, and maybe even a couple wins on the trot. Arsenal do not have that luxury. They are fresh off the Liverpool result, but coming up short in almost every single one of their big matches this year will also be on their minds. We have now entered the knockout stage of the competition and every tie, first or second leg, is a big match. Wenger's weakened squad at Stoke knocked arsenal out of the FA cup, but also gives the team a weekend off before the trip to Portugal (while Porto play this weekend on Saturday). With fresh injury concerns to Arshavin and Song the weekend off comes at a good time. Eduardo has already been announced fit. This squad is capable of putting a run together. They put together a long unbeaten run last season to secure fourth spot and inclusion in this very competition. They also put together a nice run this season in between the Chelsea defeats. Wenger must initiate a new winning streak and orchestrate an immediate return to form.

The best way to assess our chances against our upcoming opponents is to take a look at their recent history. Of all of the major European leagues, the Portuguese league is probably the one I know least about. I started to take a closer look at the first half results achieved by Porto with an emphasis on their more challenging fixtures. Porto currently sits third in the first division. In the league they have played traditional rivals Sporting Lisbon and Benfica both just once. They beat Sporting Lisbon at home 1-0.

When they went up against league leaders Benfica recently they lost a close game 1-0. A look at their group play in the Champions League reveals more. Porto managed to advance by beating Atletico Madrid both home and away in impressive style. At home they beat the Spanish outfit 2-0 and in Madrid, perhaps their best game of the group stage, they won 3-0. Porto also beat Apoel Nicosia two times in group play giving them 12 points, second to Chelsea. Both matches against Chelsea were 1-nil victories for the London Blues.

Gooners do not have to go back that far to find some recent history between these two clubs. Last year's Champions League campaign saw them in the same group. The first game was held at the Emirates. Arsenal sent out two strikers that night, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. They both had two goals each and Arsenal won 4-0. The second match, held at Porto, was a much different encounter. Arsenal, at the time, had already secured a place in the knockout round and Wenger fielded a weakened side. The result was a meaningless 2-0 victory for Porto. What is alarming is the fact that Arsenal played that night with a lineup that will resemble the squad Wenger will have to put out this year. Not because Wenger has the luxury to field a lesser side, but because he has no other choice. Will it be enough to bring a favorable result home for the second leg?

When Arsenal drew Porto in the round of 16 Arsène Wenger stated, "It is manageable". I am looking for exactly that... Wenger to manage us to the next round with the squad he's got.

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