Galeno curled in a sublime stoppage-time strike as FC Porto defeated Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Portugal on Wednesday.
However, the defeat ended Arsenal’s eight-game unbeaten run against the Portuguese opposition and left Mikel Arteta’s side with plenty of work to do in the return leg in London next month.
Appearing in a first knockout match in Europe’s premier club competition for seven years, Arsenal struggled to break down an organized Porto defense before Galeno’s last-gasp stroke of brilliance.
Arteta stuck with the same starting lineup for the third game in succession following his team’s 5-0 demolition of Burnley at the weekend. Porto defender Pepe, who turns 41 next week and is the oldest outfield player in Champions League history, made his 119th appearance in the competition.
By comparison, Arsenal’s starters combined for a total of 104 before kick-off at the Estadio do Dragao. While short on Champions League experience, Arteta has said his squad has the belief they can mix it with Europe’s best.
The Gunners have started the new year with five successive wins in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals in those games, and are firmly in the race for their first title since 2004.
Aquele golo do Galeno🤩 pic.twitter.com/5u9P40tZzz
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) February 21, 2024
As well as reigning supreme in England for the first time in 20 years, the North Londoners are convinced they can also conquer Europe, spurred on further by the prospect of a Wembley final.
In conclusion, Arsenal have never won the Champions League, losing their only final appearance against Barcelona in 2006. Porto, European champions in 1987 and 2004, are a disappointing third in Portugal this term, but frustrated Arsenal throughout.
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