Arsenal pass Porto test David Raya delivers when it matters most on crucial Champions League night, but it quickly became clear they would need to dig deep as this game was a test of character, temperament and patience against Sergio Conceicao’s brilliant and experienced Porto team.
“I am buzzing. I am so proud of the team, we showed a lot of character,”
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka told TNT Sports
Arsenal pass Porto test in a nervous night in North London
It was nervous and scrappy game at times, but this match was more about the patience and character you need in European games, as the opposition are often smarter and more matured than premier league teams.
David Raya settled all lingering arguments about his status as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper amid the sound and fury of a dramatic Champions League win over Porto FC at Emirates Stadium.
David Raya delivers when it matters most
Raya is the first goalkeeper to make at least two saves in a Champions League shootout since Petr Cech for Chelsea in the 2012 final.
The Gunners went into this last-16 second leg 1-0 down but drew level on aggregate when Leandro Trossard put them ahead on the night as the Emirates stadium erupted.
Four minutes before half time Trossard put Arteta’s team ahead on the night with a smooth finish after some brilliant work by captain Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal probed but Porto still posed a threat, Raya saving well from Evanilson and Francisco Conceicao.
Porto, defensively marshalled and organised by Pepe
Porto, defensively marshalled and organised by the 41-year-old Pepe, who never allowed Arsenal to play with their usual fluency and Trossard’s goal, created after superb footwork and a pass of precision from Odegaard, was a rare moment of weakness from the visitors’ defence.
Odegaard thought he had settled Arsenal’s nerves and put them through without the need for extra time with a second half strike. However, it was ruled out when Havertz was judged to have pulled back Pepe.
Paul Merson feels the decision to disallow Arsenal’s second goal against Porto was harsh.
Paul Merson
At the end of a nervous night, the most important factor was that Arsenal pass Porto test last night, because that is exactly what it was, a test to see if Arsenal had the minerals to dig deep.
It was Arsenal who were celebrating with Arteta finally ending his European curse at home, having managed five Europa League ties at Emirates Stadium without winning any.
What the managers said…
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:
“So happy – 14 years is a long time for a club like Arsenal not to do what we’ve done today,” he said.
“We had to dig in and find the magic moment we did at the end today. So proud and so happy.
Mikel Arteta Arsenal Boss
“You are very nervous. You are hoping for the best but you know it’s a bit of a lottery. We did our preparation yesterday and the day before just in case and it really helped so credit to the goalkeeping coaches as well.
“We have started to create an unbelievable energy in the stadium and we are all pushing to get it done, and together we’ve done it.
Porto boss Sergio Conceicao
“What Arteta said, towards the bench in Spanish, he insulted my family,” Conceicao said in the news conference.
“He should focus on training his team,” said Conceicao. “The result was injust. The team deserved to go through.”
Before Conceicao’s comments, Arteta was asked about the confrontation at the end and said: “No comment. Thank you very much.”
