It was an evening fraught with tension, the air thick with anticipation as the clock wound down towards the end of regulation time. Everyone sensed that a single moment could tip the scales in favor of one side, potentially securing a defining victory. As extra time loomed, this feeling only intensified.
For Mikel Arteta, the weight of history bore down heavily. Throughout his tenure as Arsenal manager, and even during his playing days at the club, success in European competition had proven elusive.
In five Europa League knockout ties at this stadium, victory had remained elusive, marked by sobering defeats. Additionally, Arsenal hadn’t advanced to a Champions League quarter-final since the 2009-10 season, having been eliminated in their previous seven last-16 ties – a period during which Arteta himself was a midfielder at the club.
Leandro Trossard’s goal just before halftime of normal time canceled out Galeno’s first-leg strike for Porto. Prior to that moment, Arsenal had struggled to create clear-cut chances, leading to a slog of a match, characterized by physicality and tight spaces. The creative spark was lacking, and penalties began to seem inevitable.
Despite the deadlock, there were opportunities late in regulation time. Francisco Conceição tested David Raya, while Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus was denied by Porto’s Diogo Costa in a close-quarters encounter. Additionally, Martin Ødegaard missed a chance to convert a rebound after Costa parried a Bukayo Saka shot.
Tempers flared as frustration mounted. Both Arteta and Porto’s manager, Sérgio Conceição, were booked for dissent, and tensions reached a boiling point during extra time when Kai Havertz shoved Conceição in the technical area. While it appeared that a confrontation was imminent, both benches managed to avoid further escalation.
The penalty shootout provided its own drama, with Raya making crucial saves on kicks from Wendell and Galeno. Wendell’s strike hit the post and ricocheted wide, leaving Galeno visibly devastated. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s shooters – Ødegaard, Havertz, Saka, and Declan Rice – remained composed, setting the stage for Raya’s heroics.
Arsenal’s recent dominance in the Premier League, winning all eight matches since the winter break and averaging over four goals per game, only underscored the significance of their first-leg defeat to Porto. The frustration was palpable that night, with Arsenal failing to register a single shot on target and Porto effectively neutralizing their set-piece opportunities. Arteta recognized the need for lessons to be learned.
Sérgio Conceição, however, was less than pleased with the manner of Porto’s defeat in the first leg, highlighting their tactical fouling and disruptive tactics. These tendencies were evident in the return leg as well, with Porto employing time-wasting tactics early on. The home crowd grew increasingly vocal in response to Porto’s attempts to disrupt the flow of the match.
The first half was marked by attrition, with Porto executing their game plan to perfection. Arsenal’s attempts to inject urgency were met with resistance, as Porto prioritized winning duels and making last-ditch defensive interventions. Despite this, Porto did create a few chances, including a powerful strike from Evanilson that Raya did well to save.
Arsenal remained patient, biding their time for a breakthrough. It finally arrived courtesy of Ødegaard’s creativity and Trossard’s clinical finish. Ødegaard’s quick footwork and precise pass found Trossard in space, and the Belgian winger made no mistake with his finish, slotting the ball into the far corner.
As Porto pushed higher in search of an equalizer, Arsenal remained vigilant, wary of the threat posed by Porto’s counterattacks. Tempers flared on both sides, with Arteta and Conceição booked for their protests against contentious decisions by the referee.
In the end, it was Raya who emerged as the hero, saving Galeno’s penalty to secure Arsenal’s victory and ignite scenes of jubilation among the home fans.
At the end of the game, Arsenal goalie David Raya mentioned what he should have done during the penalty shootout despite being the hero on the night for the Gunners.
David Raya:
“It’s a great moment, personally and collectively.
I should’ve saved 3 penalties!” [TNT]