‘Unbelievable’ Arsenal player has to start tonight, he’s the man to unlock Porto

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Tonight’s tie with FC Porto is perhaps the most important game of Mikel Arteta’s time as Arsenal manager so far.

Having lost the first leg 1-0, Arsenal welcome their Portuguese guests to the Emirates on a night in which they’ll need the likes of Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka in top form.

Although this is still a young Arsenal squad, they shouldn’t suffer from any stage fright – they’ve already seen these types of contests in last year’s title race.

And despite not being successful on that occasion, it should all prove as valuable experience.

Of course, the addition of Declan Rice provides reason for confidence heading into any game, especially when he’s in such rich goal-scoring form.

That being said, Arteta does have a few important selection calls to make tonight.

Gabriel Martinelli’s injury probably means that Leandro Trossard will keep his place on the left, even if there’s a temptation to play Gabriel Jesus out wide.

But perhaps the most important call for Arteta to make against Porto tonight is the reintroduction of Oleksandr Zinchenko to his Arsenal defence.

Mikel Arteta must start Oleksandr Zinchenko for Arsenal’s crucial tie with Porto tonight

Jakub Kiwior has been doing a brilliant job at left back, a much more defensively dependable option when compared to Zinchenko.

But in anticipation of Porto deploying a low block, there’s few better full-backs in world football to have than Zinchenko.

The Ukrainian can be ‘unbelievable’ in such scenarios, a player who is incredibly creative in possession.

And in truth, it’s not just a straight up call between Zinchenko and Kiwior – you also have to consider how the switch should benefit Arsenal elsewhere too.

Should Arteta reinstate Zinchenko for Arsenal tonight, it will also give Ben White the licence to overlap past Bukayo Saka on the right, a ploy that has often reaped success. 

Martinelli will be a miss in that scenario admittedly, he plays the wide role on the left so well when Zinchenko cuts in, but Trossard should be well-equipped to do similar.

Arsenal need to avoid the game becoming slow and frustrating tonight, Porto are specialists at killing the game when needed.

And by playing Zinchenko, Arsenal will attack the game from the off, rather than waiting until the 60th minute when time is already slipping away.

All that considered, Rio Ferdinand has now been praising an Arsenal forward ahead of tonight.