DEVASTATING NEWS: Arsenal arteta fumes at Arsenal player after porto loss. He said ” He lacked threat. He lacked aggression, especially with the ball in the final third. He couldn’t do any better.’ Mikel Arteta was disappointed with his team’s performance in their shock 1-0 defeat to Porto in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday night. It was a game of few chances in Portugal, with the Gunners especially blunt and not managing a shot on target throughout the contest.

The match in Portugal was characterized by limited opportunities for Arsenal, who failed to create any shots on target. Porto, on the other hand, posed a greater threat and eventually capitalized on their dominance with a late goal from Galeno, which was a spectacular long-range strike.

Despite the disappointing result, Arsenal still have a chance to make amends in the return leg at home in three weeks. However, Arteta recognizes the need for significant improvement from his team, particularly in terms of ball management and offensive assertiveness. He stressed the importance of overcoming their opponents to progress to the quarter-finals.

Arteta acknowledged the effectiveness of Porto’s defensive strategy, noting that they disrupted Arsenal’s rhythm throughout the match. He expressed confidence that his team will adjust their approach accordingly in the next encounter.

Additionally, Arteta voiced frustration with the refereeing decisions, which hindered Arsenal’s ability to capitalize on offensive set pieces, a strength they have demonstrated throughout the season. He emphasized the importance of learning from this experience, preparing better, and executing their game plan effectively in the future.

The upcoming clash at the Emirates Stadium on March 12 will be crucial as both teams vie for a spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.