Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 after a tense night at Emirates Stadium, defeating Porto 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
The Gunners entered the second leg of the round-of-16 tie trailing 1-0 on aggregate but found their equalizer four minutes before halftime thanks to a well-placed finish by Leandro Trossard, expertly assisted by captain Martin Odegaard.
The remainder of the match, however, proved to be a tight and physical affair. Despite Arsenal's attempts to break down a resolute Porto defense, no further goals were scored in regular or extra time.
The tie was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, where Arsenal held their nerve. Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice all converted their spot-kicks, while goalkeeper David Raya emerged as the hero with crucial saves from Wendell and Galeno to seal a dramatic victory for Mikel Arteta's men.
This win marks a significant moment for Arsenal, finally ending their European curse at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Mikel Arteta had previously failed to win any of his five Europa League ties at the ground.
Psychologically, this victory is just as important. After seven consecutive last-16 exits in the Champions League, Arsenal have finally broken the barrier and progressed to the quarter-finals.
The win over Porto comes at a perfect time for Arsenal. Sitting atop the Premier League table following a dramatic victory against Brentford and a draw between rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, the Gunners are riding a wave of momentum. They now face a crucial clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on March 31st, with the potential to solidify their position in both domestic and European competitions.
Having learned valuable lessons from this tough encounter with Porto, Arsenal can approach the remaining Champions League matches with confidence. The dream of a deep run in the competition remains very much alive.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news by reading our blog.
Stay connected with us on our social networks for the latest updates Instagram, Facebook, and X
Image credit of GettyImages