Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta heaped reward on his goalkeeping division after David Raya and his keeper’s coaches proved to be the heroes.
Raya saved two penalties in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out that took the Gunners by way of to the Champions League quarter-finals, a lot to FC Porto’s dismay. Struggling to beat a 1-0 deficit from their earlier match, the Gunners equalised because of Leandro Trossard simply earlier than half-time.
With neither aspect managing to realize an edge after the break, the tie-breaker got here right down to penalties. Arsenal’s 4-2 victory within the shootout meant they’ve managed to make it to the last-eight for the primary time in 14 years.
READ MORE: Three issues Mikel Arteta acquired proper as Arsenal squeeze previous Porto in penalty shootout
READ MORE: Arsenal followers can’t imagine what Porto group did for everything of their warm-up
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In an interview with TNT Sports after the match, Arteta stated: “So happy. It has been 14 years, which is a long time for a club like Arsenal and it shows how difficult it was. We really had to dig in to find the magic moment at the end. We’re starting to create an unbelievable energy in the stadium, we were all pushing to get it done and together we have done it.
“You’re very nervous [watching a penalty shootout], hoping for one of the best however you recognize it is a bit of a lottery. We had ready the day earlier than so credit score to the goalkeeping coaches and everybody that has contributed. It’s actually tough to play in opposition to Porto, they’re actually aggressive. We did not get many moments the place we may management the sport, they seem to be a actually good aspect,” reviews the Mirror.
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“We scored a goal in a really important moment, we tried to create chances and in the end we managed to do it. There’s a lot at stake and every detail is important, you’re defending your team on every decision and it’s part of the game.”
Arsenal will now face considered one of Europe’s elite within the subsequent section of the competitors for a giant to achieve the ultimate 4. The Gunners have by no means received the competitors however did attain the ultimate in 2006 in opposition to Barcelona. Arteta’s males got here into Tuesday evening’s fixture on the high of the Premier League.
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They will juggle their European exploits over the approaching weeks with their bid to finish a home title drought which now spans twenty years. When he was quizzed concerning the high quality of the remaining groups within the competitors, Arteta insisted that he and his squad had been relishing the problem, stressing that they needed to be difficult the elite for main honours.
He additional added: “Unbelievable, that’s where we want to be. We’ve been patient, worked so hard and a lot of people have made good decisions and showed courage in difficult moments and this is where you want to be.”