Who stood out to you the most against Porto?
Last nights game was massive for Mikel Arteta and this Arsenal squad who hve proven again and again that we’re not here to just take part anymore, we’re here to try win everything. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself and jinx it but we look to have finally found the formula to success, and with this team looking and playing so well together, this could really be our year that we go and win something big.
We are classed as somewhat underdogs and I like that, because nobody expected us to get this far, and with that comes strength and willingness to push ourselves as hard as we can. With everyone playing so well in the team lately, it’s hard to pinpoint players who have been doing better than others because it genuinely feels like a whole team thing. Everyone is putting the effort in and their 100% on the pitch but if I had to pick my standout performers against Porto, here they are.
First off, you can’t start this without giving full credit to David Raya in goal. Although he’s had some shaky games this season, last night wasn’t one of them and he looked like he had nerves of steal and truly relished playing on the worlds biggest stage. Not only did he win the game for us in penalties but he also kept us in the game with some magnificent saves and truly showed what a keeper has to do if he wants to big playing at then top. He showed last night why Arteta picked him as number one this season and without him between the sticks, I’m not sure we would have won it.
Secondly, Trossard, obviously scoring the goal was massive and for someone who’s only just come to the club, he’s settled in perfectly. Taking over what spot would have been Martinelli’s if he was fit enough, he proved to Arteta that he can handle the pressure, and took that pressure on the chin and got us back into the game. A lovely and well timed goal from the Belgian that saw us draw level with Porto after they managed to score in the first leg. Another quality performance from the attacker and one that helped him leave his mark on this squad for the future.
And lastly, Captain Odegaard. I’ve been a bit harsh on him this season as I expected a whole lot more in the first half of the season but since the winter break he looks to have really screwed his head on. He has been putting in performance after performance in the Premier League and now he’s doing it in The Champions League. There’s a reason why he was picked to be the leader of this squad and it shows in games like this when he takes control and pushes his team forward. A perfect through ball for Trossard to score as well and just another stellar performance from the captain.
What’s our thoughts Gooners? Who were your standout players?
Daisy Mae
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Odergaard, Rice and obviously Raya. Trossard first half, his movement and intelligent ball retention was up with Odergaard but faded second half.
Odergaard, Kiwur and Raya.
Raya, Havertz and Odegaard.
Raya, Trossard and Odegaard
Raya, Odegard and Magahaleas
The team ,fans and the coaching crew
Spot on, O Ben o, hope i get your name right
wendell wendell wendell. We need a new left back that guy is top class 2 and half games against saka and had him in his pocket and can play MA go go get that boy this summer 💯
He never out played Saka her was been helped by other players around him
The whole team… Too difficult to select just 3 but Raya and Odegaard were the standouts.. I’d put Rice 3rd
Almost all players contributed in one way or other during the 2 legs. But to pick out 3 players in order, it would be Raya, Odegaard and Trossard. Raya for his outstanding heroics in the second leg, not only the penalty saves but also the critical saves during normal time. Odegaard for his ingenious approach, time and again splitting open the Porto defence inspite of their anti football and negative tactics. Trossard for his well taken goal which levelled the tie.
Raya, Odegaard, Trossard.
I include Trossard because despite fading off in the second half, he maximised the single chance he got. It wasn’t a clear cut chance and most of our attackers would have failed to score. That single goal pushed us to penalities where Raya saved us.
Odegaard, Raya and Arteta
Arteta is great, and among the current active coaches, I rate only Xabi Alonso, Zidane, and probably Xavi and Nagelsman as equals or better than him. However, in this match, we were overwhelmed tactically, and the Porto coach outdid Arteta. Individual player brilliance saved us
And not GUARDIOLA too?
You are NOT being a realist then!
I sincerely forgot about Guardiola and Klopp. In my mind, I listed the coaches that have a probability, even if tiny, of replacing Arteta. Hence why I ommitted the two. My bad
No debate
Raya Odegard Trossard.
Exquisite pass from Odegard.
Strikers finish from
Trossard. Many forward wouldn’t finish from that angle. A well executed goal👌
Raya simply heroic.
All other players played their role well.
A 👍 to Arteta for no panic substitution
Number 1: Odegaard, 2 Odegaard, 3 Raya
Trossard, Odegaard, Raya