Raya’s two penalty saves ensured Arsenal reached the quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
London: In a thrilling encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, Arsenal emerged victorious in a penalty shootout against Porto, marking their first advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals in 14 years. David Raya‘s heroics with two penalty saves secured Arsenal’s progression after a tense tie that ended 1-1 on aggregate against the two-time European champions.
The triumph not only ended Arsenal’s seven successive last-16 exits in the Champions League but also injected a surge of belief and momentum into Mikel Arteta’s squad. With eight consecutive Premier League victories under their belt, Arsenal find themselves in contention for silverware on two fronts.
Arteta expressed the significant psychological impact of the victory, stating, “The energy that it brings amongst the squad, amongst the club, it’s really powerful.” Forward Bukayo Saka echoed this sentiment, highlighting the result as a momentum booster for the remainder of the season.
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown emphasized the confidence boost gained from progressing to the quarter-finals, especially as Arsenal prepare for a crucial title clash against Manchester City on March 31.
Arsenal’s journey in the Champions League will continue as they await their quarter-final opponents, alongside elite clubs like Manchester City, Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
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Looking ahead, Arteta remains cautiously optimistic about Arsenal’s prospects, acknowledging the challenging road ahead. “I think it’s still very far,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to focus on upcoming fixtures and maintain a determined mindset.
As Arsenal bask in the glow of their Champions League success, fans eagerly anticipate their continued pursuit of glory both domestically and on the European stage.
