IT has been 14 years since Arsenal made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League — and this defeat was a reminder why.
This was a classic European knockout tie, as Porto used every trick in the book to make it the game they wanted. It was cagey and scrappy, with the one moment of quality coming when winger Galeno curled home the only goal of the game in added time.
Mikel Arteta has spoken about a lack of experience in his team at this level, and of his starting XI last night only Kai Havertz had played in a Champions League knockout game before.
It showed, and as much as Galeno’s goal was a brilliant strike, Arsenal were at fault for giving the ball away far too cheaply when just seconds remained.
They should still be confident about turning this tie around at Emirates Stadium in two weeks’ time, but must be better than this.
“I am very disappointed the way we gave the game away at the end, not managing that situation well enough,” said Arteta.
“You get punished in the Champions League. If you cannot win it, you don’t lose it.”
Arsenal have shown themselves to be quick learners under Arteta, and that must continue to ensure they end a run of seven straight exits at this stage of the Champions League.
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