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Arsenal to send Champions League call to Campbell

Sol Campbell could have a big role to play in Portugal © Getty Images

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Sol Campbell has been put on red alert by Arsene Wenger that he may be called upon to make his first Champions League appearance since he scored in the 2006 final, as Arsenal travel to Porto on Wednesday.

The Gunners travel to Portugal for the first leg of their last 16 tie missing five first-team players, including centre back William Gallas. Wenger does have the option of playing Mikael Silvestre alongside regular defensive lynchpin Thomas Vermaelen, but he hinted that 35-year-old Campbell may get the nod.

"It's a possibility that I don't rule out at the moment because if he does not play it means two left-footed players in that position," explained Wenger. "It would mean he can show his signing was worth doing and he can help us in going through to the last eight.''

Campbell's last contribution in this competition was the header that took Arsenal within a whisker of beating Barcelona to lift their first European Cup, only to be undone by late goals from Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti. Four years on, it would represent a big gamble for Wenger to throw the former England man back into the fray after just 145 minutes of top flight football this season.

That is just one headache facing the Arsenal manager though, as he contends with injuries to Manuel Almunia (finger), Andrey Arshavin (hamstring), Alex Song (knee) and Eduardo (hamstring). As a result, the onus once again falls on talisman Cesc Fabregas to lead his team on a pitch where they lost their previous encounter 2-0.

Arsenal played Porto home and away in the group stages of last year's competition, thrashing them 4-0 at Emirates Stadium before losing with an understrength side in the Estadio do Dragao. Those results were enough to propel the North London club towards the Champions League semi-finals; Wenger will hope to go one better this season with Campbell providing priceless experience.

Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are likely beneficiaries of Wenger's overcrowded treatment room, adding pace to a starting XI that loves to keep possession of the football.

They face a Porto side built to the same criteria, although it is powerhouse forward Hulk who Wenger has pinpointed as Arsenal's major concern. Less dynamic than Didier Drogba, Hulk nevertheless has the strength and muscle to cause the Gunners' defence similar problems.

He will also be fired up after being suspended from domestic football for six months by the Portuguese football federation following a tunnel bust-up involving Benfica stewards. The ban does not cover European football, leaving Hulk to vent his frustration on Arsenal.

Porto go into the match in good form having lost just once in the last nine matches, and they are boosted by the crucial return from injury of midfielder Raul Meireles. Alvaro Pereira also comes back into contention.

Wenger will be pleased to hear Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira is planning an open game of football, but Ferreira is determined to improve on last season's run to the quarter-finals - where they were beaten by Manchester United.

"In the last four years we have always reached the last 16, last year we were in the quarter-finals, and this year we want to continue again in the competition," he said. "A game between Arsenal and FC Porto, in a competition like the Champions League and with the characteristics and history of the two teams, is always open and well played. In this context, it will always be an attractive game, which captivates the spectators."

Franck Ribery has the talent to be the star of the tournament © Getty Images

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Bayern Munich v Fiorentina
Fiorentina are desperate to recover the form that saw them beat Liverpool home and away as they travel to Champions League dark horses Bayern Munich.

Star striker Adrian Mutu is unavailable due to suspension for Cesar Prandelli's men, while defender Alessandro Gamberini has been ruled out for three months after shoulder surgery. Mario Santana also misses out, leaving plenty of pressure on the likes of Juan Vargas, Alberto Gilardino and Stevan Jovetic to provide attacking impetus.

Bayern find themselves in the last 16 after emerging from a tough group that included Juventus and Bordeaux, and they have two of the world's best widemen in Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. The Germans have won their last 12 games, and they should be boosted by the return of Miroslav Klose up front.

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