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This being Arsenal in Europe, doing so was never likely to be smooth sailing; amid a run of ruthless, free-scoring domestic form, Arteta’s side lost the first leg 1-0 in Portugal. They are still big favourites to go through tonight, and can banish a few demons with the kind of comprehensive win that has been their forte of late.
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The last time Arsenal reached the quarter-finals in 2010, they did so at the expense of Porto, thrashing them 5-0 at home after losing the first leg. Other omens are not quite so positive – Arteta is yet to win a knockout European tie at the Emirates in five attempts. Tonight, club and manager will either change that narrative, or be left with the familiar feeling of what might have been.
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important events
David Hytner looks at the big picture for Porto, who currently lag behind the two Lisbon teams in the title race.Amid financial uncertainty and board turmoil, former managers andre villas boas He aims to return as president.
Porto arrived here with a 1-0 lead after Galeno’s late effort punished an Arsenal side who were unable to get a shot on target, as we’ll see below.
Interesting news announced today: The new Champions League “league phase” that will come into force next season is so complex that the draw will have to be done by computer. What could go wrong there?
preamble
There was a time not too long ago when the last 16 of the Champions League was unmistakably the ‘Arsenal round’. From 2010-11 to 2016-17, the Gunners lost at this stage seven times in a row. This is the club’s first season back in Europe’s top competition since then, and a chance for Mikel Arteta to start rewriting recent history.
This is the Arsenal of Europe and there was never any chance this would be plain sailing. Arteta’s side lost the first leg 1-0 in Portugal amid a ruthless free-scoring campaign domestically. They are still the favorites to win tonight and can exorcise a few demons with a comprehensive win, which has been their strength lately.
Arsenal last reached the quarter-finals in 2010, when they defeated Porto 5-0 at home after losing the first leg. Other signs are less positive. Arteta is yet to win a European knockout tie in five attempts at the Emirates. Tonight, the club and the manager will either change that narrative or be left with the familiar feeling it once had.
