21 February 2024 , 08:00
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Arsenal will continue with their Champions League ambitions when they travel to Porto for the first leg of their last 16 clash.
The Gunners returned to Europe's top table this term after several years away and topped their group to ensure safe passage into the knockout stages. They only lost one of their six group games and are fancied to see off their Portuguese opponents.
Mikel Arteta will take charge of a Champions League knockout game as a manager for the first time with Arsenal looking to end a last-16 hoodoo in the competition that has plagued them for years. The north Londoners by no means have an illustrious history in the competition, reaching just one final.
This year the Champions League will conclude at Wembley, which would be a short trip for those at the Emirates. Arteta insists that destination is huge motivation and isn't concerned by the club's previous record at this stage of the competition.
The Spaniard said: "It’s great we have earned the right to be here. It’s been seven years since we’ve been at this table for this kind of match and 14 years since we’ve been able to go to the next stage. That’s the challenge, that’s what is ahead of us and we are really excited to face it, and to go for it with full belief, that’s for sure."
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Porto are regulars at this stage of the competition and came through a group that also included Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp. They currently sit third in the Portuguese league - seven points off leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta also added: "We know how tricky it is. We’ve been two or three months out of the competition and now we are going to face a really different stage of it. All the teams are very, very tough, we have little time to prepare the games, and the ball is rolling. You have to be very ready because ethe teams are very prepared and very dangerous."
Arsenal topped their Champions League group (Getty Images)When is Porto vs Arsenal?
The Gunners travel to the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday February 21. Kick-off in Portugal will take place at 8pm.
How can I watch it?
Arsenal's Champions League clash will be live on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 7pm with subscribers able to watch the match on the go via their phones, laptops or tablets.
Match Odds
Porto 21/5
Draw 11/4
Arsenal 4/6
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