FC Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa is making it very clear that his team are not afraid of Arsenal ahead of the Champions League round-of-16.
The 24-year-old today spoke to the Portuguese media, and said that the Dragons have the power to make it to the quarter-finals.
Quoted by O Jogo, Costa was first asked whether it’s Porto or Arsenal who are the favourites to progress.
“They’re obviously a very strong team, with their own game tricks. I can assure you that we’ll do everything we can not to let Arsenal make a dent and do everything we can to make them feel what FC Porto is all about,” said Diogo Costa.
The interesting point is that Costa mentioned Arsenal’s weak spots twice. First after a journalist said the Gunners are a team who shoot a lot.
“We’re prepared for everything that Arsenal are. Everyone has their weaknesses, they’ll certainly have their difficulties too.”
Then when journalists asked Costa to define Arsenal, he was back claiming they have their faults.
“They’re a very attacking team and they have their weaknesses, which we’ll exploit to the fullest.”
When asked about those weak spots, though, the goalkeeper didn’t want to elaborate.
“I’m not going to tell you what we’re going to do, just do our best to win. If they’re favourites, they have to show that.”
The goalkeeper also said that hasn’t been chatting about the match with Arsenal player Fabio Vieira, who joined the Gunners from Porto in 2022.
“We haven’t spoken much, it’s true. He’ll know the value of this team and he’ll warn his teammates. I hope he can play, it’s always good to see him.”
Porto and Arsenal play the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 on Wednesday at the Estádio do Dragão. The decisive leg will take place on the 12th of March at the Emirates Stadium.
