Arsenal triumphant penalty shootout win against Porto on Tuesday not only shattered their Champions League last-16 curse but also serves as a significant morale boost as they navigate the intense English league title race against Liverpool and Manchester City.
David Raya’s heroics with two penalty saves propelled Arsenal into the quarterfinals for the first time in 14 years, clinching victory after a tense tie against the two-time European champions ended 1-1 on aggregate.
This milestone victory maintains the impressive momentum that Mikel Arteta’s squad has cultivated with eight consecutive Premier League wins, positioning them as formidable contenders on both domestic and European fronts.
The emotional outpouring at the Emirates Stadium signaled a psychological shift for Arsenal, marking an end to their seven consecutive last-16 exits in the Champions League.
With a weekend free of FA Cup commitments followed by the international break, Arsenal’s next match isn’t until March 31, when they face Manchester City in a crucial title showdown. However, their triumph over Porto has injected renewed confidence and belief as they prepare for this pivotal clash.
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Arteta expressed the profound impact of the victory, stating, “The energy that it brings among the squad, among the club it’s really powerful.”
Forward Bukayo Saka echoed Arteta’s sentiments, emphasizing how the result propels Arsenal forward for the remainder of the season. “This result gives us a lot of momentum, a lot of belief that we can go to the Etihad and get a good result,” Saka remarked.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown emphasized the significance of Arsenal’s progression to the quarterfinals, highlighting the boost in confidence it provides as they approach the business end of the season.
Arsenal eagerly anticipates the quarterfinal draw on Friday, where they will join esteemed clubs like Manchester City, Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona in the next stage of the competition.
Reflecting on the prospect of advancing further in the tournament, Arteta remained grounded, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “I think it’s still very far,” he remarked. “Now I’m going to sit at home, I’m going to look at the other teams we have to play and start another big mountain to climb.”
