Arteta Hails Arsenal Players For Ending 14-year Champions League Poor Record

Arsenal recorded a 4-2 win over Porto via penalty shootout to qualify for the Champions League quarter finals for the first time since 2010.

The regulation time ended 1-0 in favour of Arsenal courtesy Leandro Trossard’s first half strike.

The goal was enough to even the tie after Porto won the first leg 1-0. The extra time ended the same as both sides failed to find the target.

Arsenal goalkeeper, David Raya was the hero of the night with two penalty saves from Evanilson and Francisco Conceicao before Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all scored from the spot to lead the Gunners to the last eight of the competition.

The last time the Gunners made it to this stage of the Champions League was in 2010 against Porto when Nicklas Bendtner’s hat-trick helped them to a 5-0 win.

Arteta admitted 14 years is a long time for a club like Arsenal, but he also reserved special praises for his players.

Arteta said: “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.”

He also thanked the club’s fanbase for producing an electric atmosphere that propelled the team to victory.

Arteta said: “Thank you so much, we absolutely love them, the energy they gave, how positive they were, how they contributed.

“They made us win. It’s as simple as that.”

The Gunners have enjoyed a successful run in the Premier League, leading the table, and now they are also in the Champions League last eight.

After the international break, they have another tough clash against Manchester City at the Etihad on March 31st.