Match Day Thread Arsenal vs FC Porto - Thread (Champions League - RO16 - 2nd leg)

Good. Scummy team, scummy tactics. And no need for it, because they've very good. So see ya later scummy ****s. **** off. Get in!

 

Yesss.

I actually think this was the perfect game pre-Man City. They were a tough, tactically smart team.

 

Do we have the squad strength to win both Premierleague and Champions League?

 

Thank god that's over. Champions League quarter-finals, here we come . It's been far too long since we've said that.

Honestly, we were fortunate in this tie. Feel like Mikel showed his inexperience over both legs, but it's understandable considering we've not been in this position for 7 years. And it's the first time in 14 years we've made it past the RO16. It does also feel like a huge mental barrier has been overcome though. And at least the players have shown they can hold their nerve even when things aren't going their way.

Feels like this could be Raya's 'coming of age' performance. He made some huge saves in the game and commanded his area well, especially from Porto's set-pieces.

Whilst Arteta still has to improve his management skills in Europe, the facts are, in cup competitions, performances don't matter; winning does. And, fortunate or not, we've done that tonight.

On we go. .

 

Also, didn't appreciate the Porto manager and players trying to beef our players after the shootout was over. Seems like sour grapes to me. Terrible losers. Hopefully we never have to see them again.

 

We weren't 'fortunate' at all - it was just a close game.

 

Bayern Munich
Barcelona
Dortmund
PSG
Real Madrid
Inter Milan
Man City

Who do we want?

 

Porto are absolute C**NTS!! COYG!!

 

PSV please

and what? You have already gotten IM to beat Athletico? lol

 

Most people had us as clear favourites to beat them over two legs and we scraped through on penalties. The first leg was poor and this game wasn't significantly better. We are a better team than what we showed over two legs, but their European experience trumps ours and they were more 'savvy' and smart in dragging us down to their level. They made it a battle and utilised the dark arts, which is what they wanted.

I think we could have done things better to ensure a smoother progression into the last 8, but it doesn't matter now. We are through and this was a good learning experience for this group.

 

Yeah, Porto were a lot better than people were expecting. Perhaps because they had a poor start to the Season soo are below Sporting in the League.

Still a well drilled side with a decent mixture of physicality and technical skill.

We will have to be better against the likes of Real/City/Inter. I do think we showed real maturity though - didn't see the players panic, there was a real calmness to the performance. Which is probably what won us the Penalty's.

 

A couple of players I want to shout out...

1) Odegaard. What a player. That was a real captain's performance. Led by example. Outstanding work rate, took the game by the scruff of the neck, was determined to get us up the pitch, freedom to create, orchestrating the press all game and showed phenomenal character to take the first penalty and get the crowd behind us.

2) Pepe. 41 years old. He was outrageously good. I know he has a reputation for being short-tempered, but there was a reason why he was at Real Madrid for a decade and has 134 appearances for Portugal. He was imperious yesterday. Making crucial last-ditch clearances, vital interceptions, clean touches of the ball under pressure to bypass our press and won key duels in the box. His organisation and leadership of that Porto defensive line was superb. Outstanding player.

 

So, CL quarter-finalists are all confirmed now:

Arsenal
Atletico Madrid
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City
PSG
Real Madrid

All of which will be tricky ties no doubt.

Does anyone have a preference? For me, it’s either Dortmund or Barcelona (I feel like those two are the most beatable out of the rest of them).

 

Dortmund would be my pick.

 

Bayern Munich it is.

Not ideal, but not the hardest draw either. I suppose every team at this point is going to be very difficult.

Kane will be coming back with added motivation no doubt

 

On paper we're better than them. Plus they're not a team who'll play nasty, snide tactics like Porto or Atletico. So if we get beat, at least it will be a team who will probably have just been better than us. But I give us a good chance. Shame that if this one goes to pens it would be in front of all the Bayern fans though.

 

Soo I predicted Bayern to Win the UCL this Season.

They made great signings in the Summer: Harry Kane and Kim.

Because their league form has been mediocre this Season under Tuchel people are underestimating them.

Kane, Musiala, Muller, Hummels, Neuer, Sane, Gnabry, De Ligt, Goretska .. this squash is just as good as Reals.

So.. yeah this is gonna be tough, we CAN do it though.

 

I actually agree with this - like you've said, they've still got a lot quality and Tuchel's European record is pretty good when you look at his time over Chelsea, PSG and Dortmund. This is also their only realistic chance of silverware left so they are going to want to go all out for this.

It's going to be a very tricky tie to navigate.

But I'd still say we are more capable of getting past them compared to the last time we played them!

 

Hummels?? Eh?

There’s also no Bayern fans at the home game either for the first leg. 60k+ entirely home arsenal fans packing out the stadium. Bosh. Or maybe they’ll keep the away fan section empty??

 

60k people all giving Harry Kane ****

Bring it on