Quote from: MAAManda on Today at 06:44:44 PM

Quote from: JariKriting on February 22, 2024, 09:21:10 PM

Quote from: MAAManda on February 22, 2024, 04:22:55 AM

Agree, not a big problem for Arsenal, but they have to remain alert to their current condition, when it becomes a full defensive match for Porto, it will be hell for Arsenal. I previously forgot to mention that apart from Otavio, they also have Pepe there, so Arsenal must really solve Porto's solid defensive problem. Remember that Porto only needs a draw here to advance to the next round.

Pepe is old his physical endurance must not be as good as when he was young. against a young Arsenal team playing at home and spartan pepe will definitely drain physical and energy so performance for 90 minutes will definitely not be stable. as long as Arsenal does not concede a goal first or the players do not quickly despair, they can definitely advance to the next round.

Everyone also knows that an athlete's performance will decline as they get older, but I think you can rethink your words. Look at the rating on their match yesterday, he played well with Joao Mario, Otavio & Wendell. Usually older players will be played for half game, but not Pepe, he played the full game. Arsenal still have the biggest opportunity to progress to the next round, but that doesn't mean we have to underestimate Porto, we'll see what will happen in the second leg. Honestly, I wouldn't bet on this match because I think it's too risky.

I think that one of the major problems of Pepe will be exacerbated because of his progressing age and that is his brutal tackling. He is known for that and he forever been an extremely unfair player, but now when he is slower than his opponents and he becomes worse at getting the timings right, I think it could be more of a threat for his team to see him receive a red card. Maybe they are still valuing his positioning game and they know that he can make up for a speed deficiency due to that, but at some points there are limits to that. If he is still in a top physical condition, maybe it's the best option they have. But having a defender who is about to turn 41 years old doesn't sound too promising to me.

Did they say whether this is going to be his last season or are there any talks or even negotiations going on about a contract extension for him? I don't really care and it would be pretty crazy to see someone approach his mid 40s and still play in the Champions League Wink

I think the only position where this sounds kind of acceptable would be the goalkeeper position and even there 41 is very old.