12 March 2024 , 22:48
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Arsenal advanced into the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 after seeing off Porto on penalties on what was a dramatic night.
The Gunners knew they needed to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit and Leandro Trossard ensured they'd completed half of their mission by half-time. Porto did anything but sit in as they sought to protect their lead, but couldn't stop the Belgian putting Arsenal ahead.
His neat finish owing to a sensational Martin Odegaard assist. Porto, for all their quality, had only scored once in their last nine visits to England and were unable to find the goal that would've potentially turned the tie as the game went to extra-time before the lottery of penalties was required.
David Raya endeared himself to the Arsenal faithful as he saved initially from Wendell - with the help of the post - in front of the home section before he then stopped Galeno - which sealed the shootout victory as the Gunners continue to dream in Europe.
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David Raya saved twice in the penalty shootoutRaya spot on
It proved to be a rollercoaster of a night at the Emirates. When Arsenal scored the game's only goal few would've believed we'd go scoreless for the next 80 odd minutes. That proved to be the way though and it was a series of kicks from 12 yards that would determine who went into the quarter-finals.
There was always going to be one player left with their head in their heads and Wendell must've wanted the the Emirates to swallow him up, before Galeno then felt likewise with Porto's second miss. David Raya though got to enjoy his moment in the sun. The goalkeeper had a bit of a slow start to life at Arsenal, but was their match winner as he stepped up when the moment arose.
Trossard's timely intervention
The contest and the tie may well have turned out differently if Porto had managed to go into the half-time break with the game goalless, thus keeping their aggregate lead intact. The tension within the Emirates was on the rise as the interval approached and a crowd that were aiding Arsenal could've become restless.
As a result Trossard's strike on 41 minutes couldn't have been timed better. The Belgian's net finish flicked a switch in north London and meant the hosts went in with their tails up. It no doubt made Arteta's team talk that much easier as his side needed just the solitary goal to progress - albeit they ended up needing penalties.
Leandro Trossard scored the opening goal at the EmiratesTHAT Odegaard assist
Whilst Trossard will be credited with the goal, few assists in the Champions League this season will garner such attention. Odegaard put his team-mate on a plate after some sensational play that was worthy of winning any game alone.
The Norwegian picked up the ball centrally, playing a 1-2 with Trossard. His quick touch bought him a yard as a Porto defender closed in, before he produced a sumptuous ball that split the centre-half and the full-back. He had the smallest alley with which to fit the ball through, but Odegaard has been producing magic for several years now, and added another moment to his highlight reel.
Porto give as good as they get
Given they were heading to the Premier League leaders with a 1-0 lead, Porto certainly didn't act like it. Most, if not all, expected a typical away day performance from Porto. The type where you sit in, stay compact and wait for a moment on the break that could change the game.
Porto though were thinking quite the opposite. They bossed possession in the opening ten minutes. They pressed high, going man for man when Arsenal were playing out from their own box. They didn't let Arsenal's opener change their gameplan. They showed ambition in attack and, had they nicked a goal, few could've complained given their positive approach.
Martin Odegaard continued to ooze class throughout the contestThe last 16 curse
When you look through Arsenal's Champions League record there are seven consecutive years that tell you the Gunners were dumped out at the first knockout hurdle. They also needed to put to bed the unwanted record of five successive home defeats at this stage of the Champions League.
From 2013 - 2017 Bayern Munich recorded three victories in north London, the last being a 5-1 thumping, whilst Monaco and Barcelona also left with wins. Arsenal knew they needed to end that streak if they wanted to overcome Porto and maintain their European ambitions, with Arteta's side among the dark horses to win the tournament.
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They did just that and, for this young side who continue to take challenges in their stride, this was another moment ticked off as they retain hopes of silverware this term.
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