Tortuous game for the most part but a massive win, it will be so good for team confidence
Brilliant composure for the pels
Arsenal
I think we demonstrated a lot of fortitude in this game, Porto didn’t just come to frustrate us I actually felt they came to try and win which threw us off a bit. There was a lot of nervous energy around because of the expectation to end the last 16 misery and while we didn’t do too much wrong, I think we played with the handbrake on which I guess showed some maturity, there’s no doubt previous Arsenal teams would have probably lost that by trying to win it over zealously.
Odegaard IMO had his best ever game for us, a real captains performance. Everyone else battled well too.
I expect us to be a lot more relaxed now in the quarters because I suspect that is going to be our ceiling but I’m just happy we are competing at this level once again.
So bit of pointless stats, last night was the 22nd penalty shoot out that Arsenal have been involved in, in the clubs history
6 have been in European competition (Cup winners cup, Champions league, UEFA cup/Europa league)
6 have been in the League Cup
5 have been in the Charity/Community shield
5 have been in the FA cup
Including last night our record is 14-8
In Europe - 3-3
In League Cup - 4-2
In CS - 3-2
In FA cup - 4-1
Teams we’ve beaten
Sampdoria, Roma, Porto, Man United, Liverpool (x 2), Chelsea, Man City, West Ham, Sheffield United, Wigan, West Brom, Doncaster and Rotherham
Teams we’ve lost to
Valencia, Galatasaray, Sporting, Man United x 2, Liverpool, Leicester and Bradford
I was at the Galatasaray final
Absolutely battered them that night