Arsenal’s dressing room notes leaked ahead of crucial UCL clash against FC Porto
Arsenal hosted FC Porto at the Emirates in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Tuesday, March 12. The Gunners trailed 1-0 in the tie after losing at the Estadio do Dragao last month.
The north London side still came into the game as favorites but struggled to create many chances early in the game. However, they broke the deadlock in the 41st minute after Leandro Trossard scored via an excellent assist from Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal then dominated the game in the second half but either side failed to create many clear-cut chances. With the aggregate scores tied at 1-1, the game went into extra time, where again, both sides failed to create much.
In the penalty shootout, David Raya saved two penalties as the Gunners won 4-2 to proceed into the quarter-finals.
Ahead of the game, though, there was a moment in Arsenal’s dressing room that has been revealed. Manager Mikel Arteta asked all of his players to write, in one word, how they felt when playing at the Emirates.
The words written on the tactics board included ‘confident’, ‘excited’, and much more. Their star player Bukayo Saka wrote ‘Special’ while club captain Martin Odegaard wrote ‘Love’.
The Gunners have lost just once at home in 14 Premier League games this season, winning 11 and drawing the other two. Their home form has helped them to the top of the table, above Liverpool on goal difference.
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Arsenal reach UCL quarter-finals after 14 years, join European elites
The Gunners last reached the Champions League quarter-finals, back in 2010. Incidentally, they also defeated FC Porto in the Round of 16 back then.
Arsenal returned to the Champions League after six years this season after finishing second in the Premier League last season. They topped their group with four wins, one draw, and one defeat over PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens and Sevilla.
The Gunners have now seen off Porto in a cagey affair to reach the quarter-finals. They will join Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will face PSV and Inter Milan will face Atletico Madrid in their Round of 16 second-leg clashes on Wednesday to decide the final teams in the quarter-finals.
For now, meanwhile, Arsenal will have over two weeks break. They aren’t in action at the weekend as their game against Chelsea has been postponed due to the latter’s involvement in the FA Cup.
The Gunners will return to action against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on March 31.