Arteta reveals Arsenal’s advantage ahead of UCL tie

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal’s biggest advantage as they go into their round of 16 UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday in Portugal when they face FC Porto.

Arsenal traveled to the Estadio De Dragao on Wednesday for the first leg of the round of 16 fixture on the back of a rejuvenated form, which has seen them keep up with Liverpool and Manchester City at this summits of the Premier League table.

However, despite Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka heavily in their last two Premier League games, which have seen the Gunners score 11 goals, including a 5-0 against Burnley at Turf Moor last weekend, Arteta has picked up a surprising name as the potential difference maker for the Gunners in Portugal.

It is 23-year-old Fabio Vieira, who made a move to the Emirates from FC Porto for a fee of £34 million in 2022 as the Spanish manager believes the midfielder’s insider knowledge will give the Londoners an edge.

“He was really pushing because he wanted to be here, that’s for sure. And having an insider, someone that has experience and lived the culture and the club, gives you a lot of information. It’s very important because in Europe, it’s very important to understand the context of the game: where you’re going, what type of opponent they are, what type of club they are, what type of atmosphere you’re going to be facing. And he gives us a few important information that are relevant for us.” Arteta said.

Viera was initially a doubt for the fixture, but he passed a late fitness test to travel with the team to Portugal.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Barcelona will face a new managerial-led Napoli after the Italian champions sacked Walter Mazzarri as head coach on Monday ahead of the UCL game.

Mazzarri replaced Rudi Garcia in October, but he is now replaced by Slovakia’s head coach Francesco Calzona.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu