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Arsenal 'given extra security' in Porto as police fear trouble at Estadio Dragao
Arsenal travel to Porto tonight ahead of their Champions League round of 16 clash with Sergio Conceicao's side.
FC Porto vs Arsenal: Mikel Arteta press conference
Arsenal supporters are reportedly being given extra security ahead of their Champions League round of 16 clash with FC Porto tonight (Wednesday). Tensions are running high between the Portuguese side’s supporters and ex-Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, who is running for club president, with precautions being put in place as a result.
The Gunners have been in flying form so far this season, asserting themselves as serious title contenders along with Manchester City and Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side have been scoring for fun in recent weeks whilst also being defensively sound, and the north London outfit will feel that they could go all the way on the European stage as well.
Arsenal cruised through the group stages of the Champions League, winning four and drawing one of their six matches, and booking their spot into the knockout stages of the competition with games in hand.
A tough clash with FC Porto now awaits them, who are currently third in the Liga Portugal and seven points behind league leaders Benfica. The situation in Portugal is incredibly tense, with an off-field dispute leading to Arsenal fans being afforded increased security to avoid clashes between the two sets of supporters.
According to the Daily Mail, the city’s Public Security Police (PSP) will be deploying officers from five different units in the hope of keeping a lid on emotions inside and outside of the Estadio de Dragao. Police will also be stationed around fan accommodations and surrounding areas.
The PSP have already seized 87 tickets for the match from Porto Ultras group Super Dragoes due to there being a high risk of violence on Wednesday night.
Some supporters of the Portuguese outfit have been left furious by the outcome of a presidential election between Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, 86, and ex-Aston Villa boss Villas-Boas. Super Dragoes leader Fernando Madureira and 11 others were arrested in January after an investigation was launched into disorder at a Porto General Assembly late last year ahead of the April election.
Pinto da Costa has been president of Porto since 1982 and has overseen major changes which have enabled the club to assert themselves on the European stage, and supporters are keen to stand by the incumbent president.
Thus, some fans have been attempting to deter Villas-Boas from pushing for the position and are attempting to intimidate the 46-year-old into having a change of heart, with action anticipated on Wednesday night.