Across 210+ minutes of their Champions League last-16 tie with Arsenal, Porto tried every dirty trick in the book. Led by rattler in chief, 41-year-old Pepe, Sergio Conceicao’s side wasted time at every opportunity, feigned injuries and did all in their power to unsettle a Gunners side unversed in the sharp end of European competition.
It might have done the trick too, if not for David Raya. Brought in amid much controversy in the summer, Arsenal will be toasting their Spanish shot-stopper in the days that follow, with his two saves in the penalty shootout booking Arsenal’s place in the quarter-finals after the aggregate scores were level 1-1 following extra-time in Tuesday’s second leg.
The tension that had been building at the Emirates in a fractious first-half was fleetingly punctured just before the break, thanks to a moment of exquisite brilliance by Martin Odegaard. The Gunners captain somehow threaded a ball through to Leandro Trossard, and the Belgian slid it through Pepe’s legs and into the bottom corner.
Buoyed by their goal, Arsenal breached Porto’s resistance more frequently after the interval and they even had the net bulging in the 69th minute, only for Odegaard’s effort to be chalked off for a foul on Pepe by Kai Havertz in the build-up. Substitute Gabriel Jesus and Odegaard – again – then had half-chances to win it, but neither could convert, sending the game to extra-time.
The Gunners rather ran out of steam in the additional period, however, meaning things had to be settled by a penalty shootout. Here, Raya stood up tall, keeping out Galeno and Wendell’s efforts from 12 yards to send Arsenal through at the expense of the valiant, but entirely cynical, Portuguese side.
GOAL rates Arsenal’s players from the Emirates Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (10/10):
Radiated composure to the rest of the back four in normal time, barring one fumble. Heroic in the shootout, saving one superbly and getting his hand to another.
Ben White (6/10):
Beaten by a few balls over the top, but generally put in another solid display, balancing his attacking and defensive responsibilities well.
William Saliba (5/10):
Looked overwhelmed by the occasion at times and made a string of uncharacteristic, unforced errors.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Made a couple of important interventions. More comfortable in possession than his defensive partner.
Jakub Kiwior (6/10):
Made very few errors, and was helpful in possession without doing anything too flashy.
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Midfield
Declan Rice (6/10):
Pushed into a more advanced role and was full of attacking endeavor, but not a great deal came off for him. Confident penalty.
Jorginho (7/10):
Conducted things nicely for much of the game, positioning his team-mates and keeping the ball ticking over.
Martin Odegaard (8/10):
Picked the rusty Porto lock with an unbelievable pass. Remained Arsenal’s best chance of creating a goal throughout and steered an effort just wide himself. Of course he scored his penalty too.
Attack
Bukayo Saka (5/10):
Not up to his usual high standards. Decision-making and execution in the final third was off all evening. At least he was reliable from 12 yards.
Kai Havertz (5/10):
Drifted in and out of proceedings, sometimes frustrating with his lack of movement. His foul on Pepe, which led to a goal being ruled out, was unnecessary too. Ice cool spot-kick, however.
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Showed flashes of brilliance in the first half before finishing well for the opener. Delivery was pretty good all night.
Subs & Manager
Gabriel Jesus (6/10):
Nearly scored with his first touch, but his effort was smothered by Costa. Kept plugging away.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):
Came on in the second half of extra-time and made a couple of mistakes.
Eddie Nketiah (5/10):
Pretty ineffectual in an admittedly brief cameo.
Mikel Arteta (6/10):
Set up his side to target the space in wide areas and it was fairly effective. Probably waited too long to freshen it up with subs, but his decision to replace Ramsdale this summer was further vindicated by Raya’s fireworks.
