Arsenal won their first ever CL penalty shootout at Highbury or the Emirates to breath a massive sigh of relief.
The best thing for a manager is for your team to win without playing well as your squad can learn while still progressing.
Mikel Arteta will know deep down that Arsenal will have to play a lot better if they want to advance further in Europe.
Viewed as a kind draw, Porto mostly controlled the two legs. While their tactics were negative, they rocked up a game plan with each player understanding their jobs. Whether it was playing for throw ins to slow down the tempo or passing back to their keeper, the Portuguese side will feel tactically the Gunners played into their hands.
The expected onslaught on their goal never came and in extra time we seemed leggy.
If the shootout goes different, we might be debating if we were too conservative?
We might point out how Odegaard was one of the few players to not go missing.
We might even question the subs. If Smith Rowe can’t get on the pitch in 120 mins when you need a goal he might never get on?
Yet our approach could also be viewed as maturity. Previous versions of the Gunners would have thrown bodies forward and panicked.
Witnessing extra time in the CL for the first time at the Emirates, Gooners stuck by the players even when recognising we were not at our best.
It takes skill to not be at your best and yet still triumph over two legs. That will only help a young dressing room’s mindset in the title race.
Realising the opposition had more control than maybe envisaged, we kept our composure, didn’t panic and managed the occasion.
Ultimately these are the nights we want to be involved in and went through some dark days to get back too.
It’s 14 years since we have been in the last 8 of UEFA’s premiere competition. There would be children who were witnessing Arsenal win a knockout tie in this tournament for the first time.
We will have to improve to make the last 4 but let’s enjoy this moment.
Dan
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It was game of struggle and character, Arsenal was never allowed to play, this is a strategy use mostly by inferior teams, they either become physical or negative backed up with time wasting and the dark arts.
Am hoping we face Bryan Munich in the quarter for more than one reasons.
Bryan Munich- never heard of him, where does he play?
Spot on Dan. We looked mature and determined and I felt optimistic about the outcome.
This Arsenal team has a tremendous potential and will get better 🔴⚪️
Us Arsenal thank God! For the Gunners yesterday night’s penalty shoot outs victory. Over the doggy FC Porto team in the Ucl last 16 2nd leg match at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s the Lord’s doing. For, it is not by our might or power.
The Gunners are now on 19 days recess to recharge their batteries. In readiness to take on Man City’s Citizens team. At their Etihad home backyard and beat them there to remain atop of the league.
After they have returned to club duties from the international break that they’ve gone for.
Prayerfully, all Gunners on the international break will return back safely and in good and strong health condition to Arsenal’s London Colney. And resume training earnestly for their crucial Man City match.
Well said!
We had to dig in, but sweet victory it was.
Quarter Finalists we are!
COYG 💪
Grinded out a win and beat a negative opponent while not playing our best.
This is what Champs do, find ways to win. Let’s keep it going in CL and PL.
I didn’t at all think Porto were negative, they were, very strong, very physical and for a Portuguese team, very clever. Suprised me, how difficult they made the game for us. It was like running into a brick wall. Are Porto that good? Don’t know, I don’t think they should have been. I also thought the ref was brilliant, he allowed the game to go and was refreshing to see. He wasn’t fussy and he wasnt in anyway biased. Proper battle and the ref didn’t get involved. People saying Porto were negative are totally way off. The best compliment I can give them, was, they didn’t look like the away team and didn’t look phased at all. Penalty shoot outs are always a lottery but two fine saves from Raya, helped us through, as well as very good penalties from us. As stated and obvious, we will have to up our game tremendously to go further but I see no reason, why we cant.
The Porto boss is a complete idiot for playing innocence and victimization! First was with Pep, followed by Tuchel and now the very wrong person to try such nonsense with in Mikel. Even came up with the “spanish coach thing” theory. He is a complete LOSER and so will he REMAIN!!!
He also blocked Kai off, was completely outside his box doing it, and interfered with play trying to kick the ball. Commentators seemed to suggest Kai was lucky to get off, but that was complete nonsense, guy was where he shouldn’t have been, doing what he shouldn’t have been doing, Kai on the other hand was where he should’ve been, doing what he should’ve been doing.
Exactly! Similar to what KDB did to Mikel, just a year ago which i had no problem with, but coming up with such untrue accussation is totally way off and uncalled for. He literally employs such tactic to excuse his sorry a?? after a defeat, all he needs is the opposition manager’s antics in the touchline to easily get people to believe him.
You have NOT got a clue what went on. I would like to think the accusation was wrong but NONE of us know at all. Dont speculate!!!!!
Yeah, just like Pep and Tuchel also did against him. Poor Canceicao, it’s him against the world.
Guessing!!!!!!
I don’t “guess”!
You are accusing someone of something, that you have no idea at all what went on. Guessing.