I had been nervous about this game. The late kick in the teeth from the winner in Porto deep into added on time had changed the mind-set completely. Suddenly we had to score twice to win during the game, with the possibility of extra time and even penalties. And all against a side with Champions League pedigree and nous. Whereas it was many years since we had been in the competition regularly and even more since we’d progressed in the knock out stages.
So as we walked down the steps to Block 7, row 9, in the North Bank, it was with a fluttering in the “tummy” as Mikel likes to call it. The flags were dotted around again and as we got closer to kick off were being waved with enthusiasm. It had absolutely chucked it down for most of the day in London, although it was a mild evening, and as the flags were waved the accumulated raindrops from them formed a fine mist, soaking us. ‘North London Forever’ and the CL theme, all added to the grandeur of the atmosphere. Arteta had gone with the same team as against Brentford, bar swapping Raya in for Ramsdale (and how important was that to be!).
This isn’t going to be a play by play report. I didn’t get home until 1.30 am and still haven’t watched the game back. But I want to talk about Porto. They are a schizophrenic team. They specialise in the dark arts and showed us in the first leg how they will waste time, collapse without being touched, con the referee and argue incessantly. Why would you want to watch a team like that I hear people asking? Well ask the passionate Portugese in the sold out away section or back at their fortress of a stadium. Because they are a highly skilled team, with a great defence and lightning fast wingers. They were good on the ball and, although they proved not great in the box, outplayed us for portions of the game. Respect. I remember back in the early 90s watching Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle play John Beck’s Cambridge United in what is now the Championship. You could see the Newcastle players being flummoxed by the über long ball tactics and complaining to Keegan. He bawled back at them “Don’t moan about it! Do something about it!” It’s the same with the Portos and Brentfords of this world. If they can make it work they are entitled to play their way.
So how about Arsenal? Remember we were still playing late on Saturday evening in a tough physical game. So it was a short turn around with essentially the same team. So no wonder we didn’t marmalise them as we have many PL teams lately. I thought Ødegaard (who is approaching Berkamp levels for me), Kiwior, Raya (who apart from his penalty heroics made key saves in each half) and Rice were outstanding. Trossard for me had a poor first half. He lost the ball four times out on the left wing, due to a combination of a poor touch and being out-fought and I was terrified that each time it was going to lead to a counter-attack and a goal for Porto. We badly missed Martinelli during that period. I was among many others calling for Leo to be subbed off for Jesùs at half time. And then of course it happened …. just before half time as the crowd were just starting to get nervous.
Ødegaard picked up the ball in central midfield. He juggled with it, exchanged passes with Leo on his left, manoeuvring the ball to get it just right and (I think he took four touches using both feet) then, as Leo started his run, unleashed a defence splitting pass that took out three men deep in the penalty area, right into Leo’s path. Leo finished beautifully, guiding the ball through Pepe’s legs (ha, ha, ha). We were level, at a key moment in the game. And that, gentle reader, is why your correspondent is third from bottom of the GHF prediction league and Mikel Arteta is paid the big bucks.
The second half and extra time didn’t produce a great deal of chances. We had the ball in the net, but it was chalked off for a foul called on Havertz’s tug on Pepe. It looked, all the time, as though Porto were playing for extra time and penalties. And so it came to pass.
The first roar came as our captain won the toss and pointed to the North Bank. He then won the second toss and we got to go first. Afterwards, David Raya said that we spend a lot of time preparing for penalties, both outfielders and goalkeepers (why does this not surprise me?). We looked visibly confident as we stepped forward. Ødegaard, of course, led the way and smashed his penalty home with verve. As the Portuguese players stepped up they were met with a wall of noise and twirling scarves in the North Bank. Their first penalty sent Raya the wrong way. Havertz came up and did his hop skip and a jump to score. The Porto left back, Wendell (who I thought was excellent) went to Raya’s left. Our ‘keeper got a hand on it, pushed it onto the post, and somehow it didn’t go in off him. Next up Saka, who looked the picture of confidence as another great penalty went in to make it 3-1. Raya almost saved the third, getting a hand on it (I loved the fact that afterwards he was visibly disappointed that he didn’t save that as well). 3-2 and here comes Declan Rice. He put the ball down, took a deep, calming breath, gathered himself and smashed home his penalty con brio. Is there anything this man can’t do?
So Porto were now at the point of no return. Ironically their scorer from the first game, Galeno, was the man tasked with keeping them in the game. He struck it again to Raya’s left. Our ‘keeper guessed correctly, got two big hands on the ball and we were in the quarter final.
Cue huge celebrations. I loved the fact that Ramsdale was one of the first to give Raya a huge bear hug with a huge grin. That tells you all about the spirit of the team and also what a big man, in all ways, Aaron Ramsdale is. Saliba was jumping about like a mad thing, clutching the flags and celebrating with the fans. Lovely to see. This is a very together bunch.
The Porto manager proved himself a bad loser by claiming Porto were the better team and Arteta had said something about his family in Spanish. He refused to shake hands. He has serial form for this type of antics. Well, cry me a river. As Arseblog said this morning, fuck off back to Portugal and I hope Ryanair lose your luggage.
I think this game was absolutely critical for the rest of our season. We are top of the league and in the CL quarters. We’ve played 11 games since Bahrain, won ten and only lost at Porto, which we put right last night. We await the draw for the quarters. We now have six days off before the international camps start and 19 days off before our next game (cough, away at City). From that point on March 31 we are playing football twice a week through April and May. Tough on the players and the fans. During the dark periods of the last 20 years (last year excepted), at Easter, bar the odd FA Cup and trying to get top four, our season was over. We are where we want to be, with a talented young team and an incredible manager. Wherever you are watching, in Asia, Australia, the USA, Africa, various parts of Europe and the UK, or for the lucky few who are going to the games, we are privileged to be Arsenal supporters right now.
Keep the faith!