Mikel Arteta believes Gabriel Magalhaes missing a 91st-minute chance at FC Porto on Wednesday night changed the perspective of Arsenal’s Champions League last 16 tie.
The Gunners had the chance to steal the lead in the closing stages of the first leg meeting in Portugal. But Gabriel spurned his chance to hand Arsenal the aggregate advantage ahead of Porto visiting Emirates Stadium on March 12. Instead, Galeno sealed the Dragoes a 1-0 lead.
Galeno took full advantage of Gabriel Martinelli cheaply turning over possession in the final seconds to score a superb goal. Otavio easily intercepted Arsenal’s Brazilian winger’s overhit pass and fed Galeno. Porto’s Brazilian winger then sent his finesse out of David Raya’s reach.
Gabriel wasted a great chance to give Arsenal a late 1-0 first-leg lead away to FC Porto
But Martinelli may not have tried his long pass over to Martin Odegaard had Gabriel scored to put Arsenal ahead at Porto moments before. The north London giants had a great chance for a late go-ahead goal when referee Serdar Gozubuyuk awarded a free-kick in a good area.
Gabriel, however, would not continue his strong goalscoring form as the £27m ex-LOSC Lille enforcer’s header went over the crossbar. It would have been the Brazilian centre-half’s fifth goal in all competitions in 34 games this term. He has scored every goal since December 23.
Arteta admits Gabriel’s miss and Galeno’s goal changed the Champions League picture
Arsenal boss Arteta admits Galeno scoring soon after Gabriel’s miss completely changed the perspective of their trip to Porto. Instead of bringing a 1-0 lead back to north London after a ‘fantastic’ night in Portugal, the Dragoes sealed an advantage ahead of visiting the Emirates.
“That’s it, Porto is gone,” Arteta said in his press conference this Friday. “We discussed it and we know the things that we did very well, and the things that we have to improve.
“It tells you again about the small margins in the Champions League because we have one of the biggest chances in the 91st minute with Gabi. If he scores a goal, we are 1-0 up and it’s a fantastic, mature [and] disciplined performance in the Champions League.
“However, you lose it in the last second and it’s something else. That’s clear but we cannot lose sight of where we are, what we are doing and the importance of the match tomorrow [against Newcastle United] and the full energy and focus is there.”
Arsenal have still never won away to Porto after four visits to the Liga Portugal giants
Losing at Porto on Wednesday night even extended Arsenal’s torrid record away to the Liga Portugal side in the Champions League. The Gunners have still never won at the Estadio do Dragao natives after four visits. They have also lost three times since their 0-0 draw in 2006.
Arteta will now hope his team can repeat Arsene Wenger’s 2009/10 squad by winning their reverse match. Wenger also oversaw a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie 14 years ago. But the Gunners progressed after winning 5-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have also beaten Porto each time the Dragoes have visited north London without a single goal conceded. They won 2-0 in the group stage in September 2006, won in another group stage game 4-0 in September 2008 and then later thrashed Porto 5-0 in March 2010.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
