Mikel Arteta is set to face the press after the Champions League last 16 second leg against FC Porto at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners went into the match knowing they would have to overcome a 1-0 deficit after a late defeat at the Estadio do Dragao in the first leg. Sensing this, the home fans were in full agreement to help their team overturn the tie and the match began in a raucous atmosphere.
Porto did well to capitalize on the early momentum which gave chances to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. In fact, they managed to generate a few chances thanks to Evanlison and Galeno on the counterattack.
Ultimately, Arsenal got the breakthrough when Leandro Trossard superbly finished Odegaard’s defensive pass behind Porto’s disciplined backline five minutes before the break.
The second half continued in the same wary tone, but just after the hour Arsenal looked to have made the breakthrough when Odegaard tapped home after a defensive mix-up. The goal was controversially disallowed, as Kai Havertz was adjudged to have fouled Pepe in the build-up.
There was then nothing to separate the two teams as the match continued timidly into overtime. Arteta was reluctant to use his substitutes as he waited until the second half of extra time to bring on Alex Zinchenko and Eddie Nketiah, having only brought on Gabriel Jesus in normal time.
Although the match went to penalties, it was Arsenal who ultimately won. David Raya was the hero who made two saves to send the Gunners into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.
You can hear everything Arteta has to say about all this and more with football.londonArsenal Chief Correspondent Kaya Kaynak on our live blog below.
11:29 p.m.Rock Spring
Arteta on his young team
That they do it when the club hasn’t done it for 14 years shows the difficulty. They are willing to sacrifice everything to win. When you play this way, you will be rewarded.
11:29 p.m.Rock Spring
Arteta on the game
A magical night. We expected a really tough opponent. It is very difficult to create momentum and that is to their credit. It’s a huge experience for us. We also had to do it through penalties. Thanks to David who had a tough time at the start but showed incredible determination, got back up and was rewarded.
11:10 p.m.Rock Spring
“That says it all”
David Raya speaking to TNT Sports:
“Obviously it’s a great feeling for me personally, for the first time in the Champions League and for the club to get to the quarter-finals for the first time in so many years.
“We played a very good game from the start. We dominated, created chances and it came down to penalties. We worked a lot on penalties this year and all the hard work with the coach goalkeepers and the team paid off.
“A great moment personally and collectively. I’m over the moon to have saved two penalties in the Champions League to reach the quarter-finals. They made it so difficult there, they played their game, but we scored the goal we needed and it came down to penalties and it was a crazy moment.
“Apart from physically on the part of the boys, mentally it’s difficult, but especially for me to be focused every second, you can’t switch off.
“It says it all. You play football for these kinds of things and I’m lucky enough to play for Arsenal, be in the Champions League and make it to the quarter-finals. We’re just going to enjoy the night .”
10:57 p.m.Rock Spring
Player Ratings
David Raya absolutely sublime in penalties, while Jakub Kiwior was my MOTM in normal times. Close race with Martin Odegaard. Tough evening for Saliba and Zinchenko but all will be forgiven.
Read Kaya Kaynak’s full Arsenal player ratings here.
10:57 p.m.Rock Spring
To welcome
Hello and welcome to football.londonCoverage of Mikel Arteta’s press conference after Arsenal’s Champions League round of 16 victory against Porto on penalties!