Galeno Stuns Timid Arsenal With Late Porto Winner
Muhammad Rameez Published February 22, 2024 | 05:34 PM
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned his team's lack of cutting edge as Galeno's sublime stoppage-time goal earned Porto a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday
Porto, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Feb, 2024) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned his team's lack of cutting edge as Galeno's sublime stoppage-time goal earned Porto a 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Appearing in a first knockout match in Europe's premier club competition for seven years, Arsenal struggled to break down an organised Porto defence before Galeno's stroke of brilliance in the 94th minute.
The defeat ended Arsenal's eight-game unbeaten run against Portuguese opposition and the Gunners with plenty of work to do in the return leg in London on March 12.
"We lacked threat. We lacked aggression, especially when we had the ball in the final third," Arteta told TNT Sports. "So we will tweak a few things to attack better. We can do better."
Arsenal last made it to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2010, when they beat Porto in the last 16, but it is the Portuguese club who now have the upper hand.
"I think it's a team that's very well-organised defensively and they break your rhythm all the time," said Arteta.
"We want to be in the quarter-finals, you have to beat your opponent and this is what we have to do at the Emirates."
Arsenal failed to register a single shot on target as their recent goal spree came to a shuddering halt.
"When it's 0-0, you look up at the clock and it's 93 minutes gone, if you aren't going to win the game then don't lose it," said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice.
"It's a real kick in the teeth because we've conceded late but we know what to do. We're not going to let our heads drop."
Arteta stuck with the same starting line-up 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 had 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 have the belief they can mix it with Europe's best.
- Flee-flowing attack stalls -
The Gunners have started 2024 with five successive wins in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals in those games, and are firmly in the race for a first title in two decades.
As well as reigning supreme in England for the first time since 2004, the north Londoners are convinced they can also conquer Europe, spurred on further by the prospect of a Wembley final.
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.
They were happy to cede possession and allow Arsenal to dictate the tempo in the first half, but it was the hosts who created the best chance.
Francisco Conceicao darted in from the right and slid over a cross that looped off a sliding Gabriel, with Galeno rifling against the far post and then steering the rebound wide after the ball came right back to him.
William Saliba and Kai Havertz headed wide at corners either side of a Nico Gonzalez drive that sailed over in a physical opening 45 minutes.
Leandro Trossard, deployed again as the leader of the attack alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, lashed over on the volley from Rice's driven corner early in the second half.
Arteta made his lone change with a quarter of an hour left, replacing Trossard with Jorginho, but Arsenal's lack of a prolific striker was exposed and they were ultimately undone by a moment of magic from Galeno.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
More Stories From Sports
-
IPC Minister congratulates Pakistan team on victory over Korea
32 minutes ago -
Pakistan outplays Korea in Azlan Shah Cup
42 minutes ago -
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every player on the team in t ..
2 hours ago -
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 fixture schedule announced
2 hours ago -
Mardan win Prime Minister Youth Talent Hunt Handball League trophy
3 hours ago -
Pakistan grab 6 medals in South Asian Rope Skipping C'ship
3 hours ago
-
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
21 hours ago -
Golf: US PGA Byron Nelson tournament scores
20 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga results
22 hours ago -
Arsenal sink Bournemouth to move four points clear in title race
22 hours ago -
Narvaez beats favourite Pogacar to opening Giro stage
22 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga table
22 hours ago