When Arsenal traveled to Portugal to play against Porto in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie, I was expecting Mikel Arteta's men to at least get a draw in that game before waiting for the second leg that'll be played at the Emirates stadium but surprisingly to me, Arsenal didn't just fail to get a draw in that game but also failed to find the back of the net and that I think has put their qualification to the next round of the competition on hang because the Porto team is very good in their defense line and are very capable of protecting the first one goal lead from the first leg of the tie. Porto are currently in the third position of the Portuguese league table behind league leaders and current champions Benfica and second placed Sporting Lisbon but that doesn't suggest that they can't be able to eliminate Arsenal in the second leg even when bookmakers are still backing the English club to defeat Porto and go through.
For Arsenal to reach the next round of the UEFA Champions League, their attacking line must be on their best when the host the Portuguese club for the second leg of the tie. Breaking a Porto defense that's led by the legendary Pepe who we all know is a rockie and very solid at the back will be very difficult of you ask me. However, Arsenal will play the second leg of that game at home in front of their home fans and that I think will give them all the needed support to be at their best and better the result of Porto in the first leg and reach the quarter finals of the competition.
Gunners will be playing Porto who defeated them in the first leg in few weeks time at the Emirate with their qualification hopes hanging in the balance especially after that last minute goal from Porto that struck them hard. Arsenal had full possession of that match but Porto were more threatening as Arsenal were without any shot on target and their threats payed off with a last minute winner. The stoppage time winner over a toothless Arsenal was a bit hard one for them in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie of the UCL at the Estadio do Drago. Porto weren’t really good with the ball but to an extent would have opened scoring quite early when they had a great chance at goal but weren’t able to convert.
Arsenal on the other end struggled to create clear chances but struggled also to get some great attempts but came very close through the header from Saka’s cross. Declan Rice and Gabriel’s partnership too was also one close one for Arsenal but all didn’t give the club a shot on target. Arsenal whom after this match have, had a great EPL game by thrashing out Newcastle with over 4 goals proved that they’re still a better team and they’re very much ready to take their chances and aim at qualifying past this stage. Well Arsenal’s last time of going past the Round of 16 was against Porto in 2010 where they had a 6-2 aggregate win.
This is their first appearance in years in this stage and I believe they still have a lot to offer and I’m very confident they’ll be able to go past Porto. The only time I’ll get worried for them is when they probably get their Quater Final opponent, then I can be a little shaky. Arsenal have hot a young squad and attacking mindset and yes that should be an added advantage for them especially when they play infront of their own fans as that’ll be the major boost of this Arsenal team.