PORTUGAL: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Press conferences by Arsenal and Oporto coaches Arsene Wenger and Jesualdo Ferreira as their teams train ahead of their Champions league match

Porto and Arsenal can guarantee a place in the Champions League knockout phase with a draw in Wednesday's (December 6) Group G decider at the Dragao Stadium. However, a victory for one of them could eliminate the other if CSKA Moscow beat Hamburg SV, who have lost all five games, in the other match in the group. If Porto draw with Arsenal and CSKA win, all three teams will have 11 points and the Russians will be eliminated by virtue of a worst goal difference in matches among the three. Porto go into the match full of optimism and confidence after winning their past three Champions League matches. A 2-0 win over Boavista at the weekend put them five points clear at the top of the Portuguese league, with coach Jesualdo Ferreira choosing to rest some senior players and re-call Brazilian midfielder Ibson after a long injury absence. "With victory over Boavista assured, Arsenal is now our main concern, especially as they will try and control the game from beginning to end," said Ferreira. Brazilian goalkeeper Helton, who has recently won his first two international caps, was more openly enthusiastic about Porto qualifying -- and maybe even making it to the final. "With all due respect to the other teams, at this time we are not afraid of anyone. We have our feet on the ground, but at the same time, we are aiming high. "Anyone who doesn't believe we can make the final, should stay at home," he added. Arsenal will be without their talismanic striker and captain Thierry Henry. The Frenchman, suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the tournament against Hamburg two weeks ago, would not have played anyway as he is nursing a neck injury which has led to sciatic nerve problems that are likely to sideline him for at least a month. Arsenal will also be without Tomas Rosicky after the Czech midfielder was injured in Saturday's 3-0 win over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which boosted morale in the squad after two successive away defeats in the Premier League. With Arsenal also playing Chelsea next Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger has described this as the most important week of their season. Brazilian midfielder Gilberto, who scored two penalties against Spurs, says the team are ready to respond. "This week is decisive for our future in the Premier League and the Champions League. We did our job against Spurs, but need to continue with Wednesday's very difficult game against Porto. We must come back with a result." Arsenal beat Porto 2-0 in London in September and could become the first English side to beat the 2004 European champions away. Porto have won four and drawn four of their eight home matches against English clubs and have also found form recently with wins in their last three Champions League matches. Probable teams: Porto: 1-Helton; 12-Jose Bosingwa, 3-Pepe, 14-Bruno Alves, 13-Jorge Fucile; 14-Paulo Assuncao, 8-Lucho Gonzalez, 16-Raul Meireles, 7-Quaresma; 9-Lisandro Lopez, 23-Helder Postiga Arsenal: 1-Jens Lehmann; 27-Emmanuel Eboue, 5-Kolo Toure, 20-Philippe Senderos, 22-Gael Clichy; 13-Alexander Hleb, 19-Gilberto, 4-Cesc Fabregas, 8-Freddie Ljungberg; 25-Emmanuel Adebayor, 11-Robin van Persie Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)

ITN Source | December 6, 2006

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