The penalty shootout against FC Porto at the Emirates in the second leg of the 1/8 round of the Champions League was the most dramatic but glorious moment of the season so far for Arsenal .
Before the second leg of the 1/8 round of the Champions League on the morning of March 13, Arsenal welcomed Porto at home 3 times within the Champions League. In 2006, they won 2-0. By 2008, this gap was doubled. Two years later, the score was 5-0.
Those facts did not help The Gunners in their latest match against a familiar opponent from Portugal. Martin Odegaard and his teammates had to work very hard to drag the opponent to a penalty shootout. Finally, after the moment David Raya turned into a hero on the 11m mark, everything broke loose.
Arsenal at the Emirates against Porto is a brave, determined team, determined to erase the past of not being able to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for 14 years. When the “Gunners” took turns taking turns taking their shots, confidence was the only thing felt from their eyes and feet.
“In 7 years, we have not been to the Champions League and in 14 years, the team has not gone this far. Saying that shows how difficult things have been for Arsenal over the years. It won’t stop yet. I’m not here again, the whole team wants more” – Mikel Arteta shared after the match.
Arsenal’s victory over Porto is not only meaningful in terms of achievements in the Champions League, it also shows the image of a great team returning. Not only do they play well in the Premier League, in the prestigious European playground, all the gloom of humiliating defeats is gradually receding into the past.
When planning to rebuild the team last summer, Arteta focused all resources to evaluate, select and bring in the most suitable players. Except for Jurrien Timber, who is often injured (his ability has not yet been evaluated), David Raya, Kai Havertz and Delcan Rice, especially Rice, are too good.
Raya, Havertz and Rice were all heroes in the penalty shootout against Porto, but the best image probably belonged to The Gunners’ goalkeeper. After successfully blocking the opponent’s penalties and sending Arsenal to the quarterfinals, Raya had a very emotional hug with Ramsdale.
In recent weeks, there have been rumors about a split within the “Gunners” because Raya and Ramsdale are competing for positions. However, that moment shattered all doubts and painted the image of a united team, looking together in the same direction, which is success.
When victory came, Martin Odegaard collapsed onto the field from exhaustion. He and his teammates have worked hard, practiced and competed at the highest intensity from the beginning of the season until now. Brentford and Porto are not too big opponents, but their good organization makes them opponents that are not easy to overcome. During the most difficult and sensitive time of the season, “Gunners” still decoded these unknowns and achieved a perfect ending.
“It wasn’t until today that everything happened. We practiced and prepared for every scenario that could come this evening. The credit goes to the players. They entered the match with confidence. , responsibility and effort according to what was previously prepared” – Arteta shared.
After winning tickets to the quarterfinals and preparing to know who their opponents are, Arsenal will have some time to rest before entering a very important match with Man City next week in the Premier League.
By this time, the difference was no longer clearly felt between the two championship racing teams last season. Arsenal has the opportunity to continue defeating Man City as they did earlier in the season.