Arsenal’s rollercoaster journey in the Champions League last 16 continued with a 1-0 loss to Porto in the initial encounter. This marked their first foray into knockout football in the prestigious tournament since the 2016/17 season, breaking a seven-year hiatus from such high-stakes matches. Despite this achievement, progressing beyond the quarter-finals has proven elusive for the Gunners, with their last appearance in that stage dating back to the 2009/10 campaign.
A deeper issue emerges when examining Arsenal’s recent track record in the last 16. Their tendency to falter in the first legs of these ties has become a troubling pattern, evident in the past seven seasons where they reached this stage. Beginning in 2011/12, a series of defeats in the initial encounters ensued, setting the stage for uphill battles in subsequent matches.
In this latest defeat against Porto, Arsenal’s offensive prowess was notably absent, failing to register a single shot on target throughout the game. Despite dominating possession, their inability to convert opportunities into tangible threats proved costly. Galeno’s late strike sealed Porto’s victory, highlighting the lack of clinical finishing from both sides.
Martin Keown dissected Arsenal’s performance, emphasizing Porto’s adherence to their game plan and Arsenal’s failure to capitalize on possession. He attributed the late collapse to inexperience, pointing out missed opportunities to secure the draw. However, he expressed confidence in Arteta and his young squad’s ability to learn from this setback and perform better in the return leg.
In summary, Arsenal’s struggle to navigate the Champions League last 16 persists, characterized by a recurring pattern of faltering in the first legs and an inability to convert possession into meaningful chances. Despite this setback, there remains optimism for improvement and redemption in future fixtures under Arteta’s leadership.
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