Arsenal edges past Porto on penalties to reach Champions League quarterfinals for first time in 14 years

If Arsenal fans had forgotten just how tense and grueling the Champions League knockout stages can be, their memories will now certainly be refreshed after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Porto in the round of 16.

If Arsenal fans had forgotten just how tense and grueling the Champions League knockout stages can be, their memories will now certainly be refreshed after a thrilling 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Porto in the round of 16. It had been seven years since the Gunners last played at this stage of European football’s premier competition - and 14 years since it last progressed to the quarterfinals - and there was a real sense of occasion inside the Emirates Stadium as the Champions League anthem sounded once again in this part of north London. Porto arrived defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg, but Leandro Trossard drew Arsenal level in the first half with an inch-perfect finish after being found by Martin Odegaard’s smart reverse pass. Despite Arsenal pressure and chances for both sides, neither team was able to find the goal that would have won the tie and it finished 1-0 on the night after extra time. Eventually, it was Arsenal’s players who held their nerve to score all four of their penalties, as Brazilians Wendell and Galeno saw their spot kicks saved by the outstanding David Raya. On a raucous night, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said this was probably the best atmosphere he’d experienced at the Emirates Stadium since taking over as manager in 2019.