Ahead of the rematch against Porto at the Emirates Stadium, manager Mikel Arteta is eager to help Arsenal end their seven-time elimination from the Champions League in the round of 16.
"That's the opportunity we have tomorrow, in front of our home crowd and at home," Arteta said about the goal of taking Arsenal to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. "For more than a minute, the fans need to bring energy and noise into the stadium and we will do that together."
Arsenal at the London Colney training ground on February 11th. Photo: arsenal.com
Arsenal lost 0-1 away to Porto in the first leg, suffering their fifth consecutive defeat in the Champions League round of 16. Previously, the Gunners lost both legs against Bayern Munich 1-5 in the 2016-2017 season and against Barcelona 0-2, 1-3 in the 2015-2016 season. Arsenal also became the fifth team in history to lose five consecutive knockout matches, after Roma in February 2018, Leverkusen in March 2014, Celtic in March 2013, and Real Madrid in February 2010.
The last time Arsenal won in the Champions League round of 16 was when they beat AS Monaco 2-0 in the first leg of the 2014-2015 season in France. However, in the return leg in London, they lost 1-3 and were eliminated by the away goals rule.
Arsenal have been eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 seven times in a row, since reaching the quarter-finals in the 2009-2010 season, where they lost to Barcelona 3-6 on aggregate. Prior to that, they reached the quarter-finals in 2007-2008, the semi-finals in 2008-2009, and the final in 2005-2006 under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, but lost 1-2 to Barcelona at the Stade de France in France.
When asked about his desire to turn the tables against Porto, Arteta joked: "I'm absolutely thrilled because I haven't had dinner yet. We have to achieve something we haven't done in 14 years, so you can imagine."
In the first leg in Portugal, Arsenal controlled 65% of the ball possession, making 494 passes – almost double that of Porto – but only had seven shots, all of which missed the target. This was the first time Arsenal failed to register a single shot on target in a Champions League match since their 1-3 defeat to Barcelona in 2011. On that occasion, the London club scored thanks to an own goal by midfielder Sergio Busquets.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was fouled by Ivan Jaime during the 0-1 defeat to Porto at the Dragao Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 21. Photo: Reuters
Arteta said Arsenal will have to adjust a few things to improve and create more chances in today's second leg at home at the Emirates. "Every week, every opponent has strengths and weaknesses and their approach to the game, and now we understand them a little better," the Spanish coach said. "We've played these kinds of games many times in the Premier League. We will just focus on being ourselves and performing better, controlling the game better than in the first leg."
Arsenal received a morale boost by taking the top spot in the Premier League. In the 28th round last weekend, they beat Brentford 2-1, while Liverpool and Man City drew 1-1. "It's fantastic to be at the top, that's for sure," Arteta stated. "We have an exciting race, with two opponents of similar caliber. So the ambition is growing, we want to continue leading and we will focus on each game."
Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm in the first leg at the Dragao Stadium, with Porto committing 36 fouls – the second-highest in this season's Champions League – and possession only lasting 51.7% of the match.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard believes their recent 2-1 win against Brentford, achieved with similar time-wasting tactics, serves as ideal preparation for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. "I think the whole team played well against Brentford and it was a good warm-up," the Norwegian midfielder said. "We will have to control our emotions throughout the game and face many different situations, including time-wasting."
Hong Duy
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