Emirates Stadium, London CNN —If Arsenal fans had forgotten just how tense and grueling the Champions League knockout stages can be, their memories will now certainly be refreshed after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Porto in the round of 16.
On a raucous night, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said this was probably the best atmosphere he’d experienced at the Emirates Stadium since taking over as manager in 2019.
It was a reminder of the threat this Porto team possessed – if Arsenal still needed one after Galeno’s late, long-range sucker punch in the first leg.
That strike propelled Arsenal forward in the second half, though Porto looked increasingly content with sitting back and absorbing the pressure.
After a riveting 90 minutes, extra time was largely a non-event, with the highlight coming when Kai Havertz pushed Porto manager Sergio Conceição to spark a tussle on the touchline.
Persons:
Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard’s, Wendell, Galeno, David Raya, Mikel Arteta, “, ”, Pepe, William Saliba, Evanilson, Leandro Trossard's, Hannah McKay, Porto, Diogo Costa, Arteta, Arsenal's, Adrian Dennis, Francisco Conceição, Kai Havertz, Sergio Conceição, ’
Organizations:
London CNN, Arsenal, Champions League, Porto, Gunners, Emirates, League, Reuters, Belgian, Getty
Locations:
London, Europe’s, Raya, AFP