Ferreira tells Porto to go for it

Even with qualification for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League secure, Jesualdo Ferreira knows FC Porto's "culture" of success means nothing less than 100 per cent effort will do when his side welcome Arsenal FC to the Estádio do Dragão.

'Prestigious game'
Porto's 2-1 win at Fenerbahçe SK on Matchday 5 coupled with Arsenal's victory against FC Dynamo Kyiv, leaves both teams entering their final match in Group G assured of continued involvement in the competition. "There isn't the normal pressure," said the coach, while insisting he will not accept second best, whatever the circumstances. "The culture of FC Porto means we will go out to win," he stressed. "It's a prestigious game, there are three points up for grabs, and we will go for them."

'Great teams'
Porto will finish as group victors should they avenge their 4-0 loss to Arsenal on Matchday 2 with three points, but the strength of the UEFA Champions League makes Ferreira doubt whether this makes any difference going into the last-16 draw on 19 December. "Theoretically, it's easier if you finish in first place, especially because you play the second game [of the first knockout round] at home, but there will be great teams finishing second in their groups too."

Record holders
The trainer also dismissed any suggestion Porto will feel inferior to a side that beat them so comprehensively in their first meeting. "It's important to remember Porto hold the record for most participations [in the UEFA Champions League] – 14 – along with Manchester United," he said. Ferreira did admit, however, that the physical strength of English teams presents a tough challenge, even if all of Arsenal, Manchester United FC, Chelsea FC twice and Liverpool FC have left the Dragão winless in the last five years. "The leagues are very different," he said. "We don't have to play with the same intensity that they do all the time, so we have to work harder."

'Dangerous'
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is wary of the threat posed by Porto, refusing to be misled by their below-par performance in north London. "Over-confidence is a disease we don't have," he said. "We are well aware that it is always difficult to travel in the Champions League." Rather than expecting a timid Porto, Wenger thinks the Portuguese outfit will take great confidence from a six-game winning streak, and could also revel in having already qualified. "Porto will maybe play with less pressure and that could make them more dangerous," he said. "We will have to be very focused."

Faith in youngsters
Wenger will give some of his highly-rated youngsters a taste of the highest level at the Dragão, so the likes of Gavin Hoyte, Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela may feature given regulars including Emmanuel Adebayor and captain Cesc Fàbregas have stayed at home. "We're lucky to have an extremely talented young group, with great potential to do well," said the Frenchman, who continues to struggle with a lengthy injury list. Not that Wenger is considering the match as a training exercise. "I believe this team can produce the result we need to finish top – that's the only reason I made this decision."