Before the rematch against Porto at Emirates Stadium, coach Mikel Arteta is eager to help Arsenal end the streak of seven times being eliminated from the 1/8 round of the Champions League.
"That's the opportunity we have tomorrow, in front of our home crowd and at home," Arteta said of his goal of taking Arsenal to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2010. "For more than a minute, the fans need to bring energy, noise into the stadium and we will do that together."
Arsenal at London Colney training ground on February 11. Photo: arsenal.com
Arsenal lost 0-1 at Porto in the first leg and suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in the Champions League round of 16. Previously, the "Gunners" lost both legs against Bayern with a score of 1-5 in the 2016-2017 season and lost to Barca 0-2, 1-3 in the 2015-2016 season. Arsenal are also the fifth team in history to lose five consecutive matches in the knockout round, after Roma in February 2018, Leverkusen in March 2014, Celtic in March 2013 and Real in February 2010.
The last time the Gunners won in the Champions League round of 16 was when they defeated AS Monaco 2-0 in the first leg of the 2014-2015 season in France. But in the second leg in London, they lost 1-3 and were eliminated by the away goals rule.
Arsenal have been eliminated in the Champions League round of 16 seven times in a row, since reaching the quarter-finals in 2009-10, where they lost 3-6 on aggregate to Barca. They previously reached the quarter-finals in 2007-08, the semi-finals in 2008-09 and the final in 2005-06 under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, but lost 1-2 to Barca at the Stade de France, France.
Asked about his desire to turn the tables against Porto, Arteta joked: "I'm very excited because I haven't had dinner yet. We have to achieve something we haven't done for 14 years, so you can imagine."
In the first leg in Portugal, Arsenal had 65% possession and 494 passes - almost double that of Porto - but only had seven shots, all of which were off target. It was the first time Arsenal had failed to hit the target in a Champions League game since a 3-1 defeat to Barca in 2011. That time, the London club scored thanks to an own goal from midfielder Sergio Busquets.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is fouled by Ivan Jaime during the 0-1 loss to Porto at the Dragao Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 21. Photo: Reuters
Arteta said Arsenal will have to make some adjustments to improve and create more chances when the second leg at the Emirates Stadium takes place today. "Every week, every opponent has their strengths and weaknesses and how they approach the game and now we know them a little better," the Spaniard said. "We have played these types of games many times in the Premier League. We will just focus on being ourselves and being in form, controlling the game better than the first leg."
Arsenal received a morale boost when they took the top spot in the Premier League. In round 28 last weekend, they beat Brentford 2-1, while Liverpool and Man City tied 1-1. "It's great to be at the top, that's for sure," Arteta said. "We're in an exciting race, with the level of both opponents. So the ambition is growing, we want to continue to lead and will focus on each match."
Arsenal could not find their rhythm in the first leg at the Dragao Stadium, when the home team Porto committed 36 fouls - the second highest number in the Champions League this season, and the ball only lived for 51.7% of the match.
Captain Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brentford used a similar "time-wasting" tactic and sees it as an ideal preparation for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. "I think the team played well against Brentford and it was a good warm-up," said the Norwegian midfielder. "We will have to control our emotions throughout the game and face many different situations, including time-wasting."
Hong Duy
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