Pedro Porro will be keeping a very close eye on events at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening when Arsenal return to Europa League action. The Gunners are targeting a place in the quarter-finals of the competition but they first of all have to find a way past Porro's former club, Sporting CP.
It's all square at 2-2 heading into the crucial second leg in north London after Hidemasa Morita's own goal just past the hour mark saw Arsenal draw back on level terms after finding themselves behind in the tie. Arriving in the capital ahead of the European showdown, the Sporting CP team were greeted by a very familiar face.
It was indeed Porro, who had found time to meet up with his former teammates. Images of the right wing-back, who only departed for Tottenham six weeks ago, were published on the Portuguese club's social media channels as he linked up with the likes of Adan and Manuel Ugarte again.
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One image also showed Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim very pleased to see his former player as he put his arm around his shoulder as they posed for a photo together. Given his Sporting CP and Tottenham connections, Porro will be hoping there is only one outcome in the game at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening.
Now getting a bit more football under his belt at Tottenham after having to settle for a place on the bench in his first few weeks in N17, the Spaniard showed Spurs fans what he is all about last Saturday with an assist for Harry Kane in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest. Speaking to Sport TV (via Sport Witness), the ex-Man City player opened up on his start to life at Tottenham and the importance of Eric Dier in terms of helping him settle in.
“The last days were a bit intense, it was difficult, but I had to move on with my life,” explained Porro. “It’s been a big change, but I think I’m doing well. The first few weeks were tough because of the language, I didn’t understand English very well, but now I understand it better, and I hope it stays that way because that will be the most important thing.”
He added: “I was well received. I had already played against them for Sporting, in the Champions League, so they already knew me. As I said, I was well received from the first day, and I also tried to adapt to them.
“[Eric] Dier helped me a lot because, soon on the first day, he sent me a message offering to help with anything I needed. It helps a lot in a new country with new colleagues. I can only say that I am grateful to him as he helped me a lot.”
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