ARSENAL have at long last broke their last 16 Champions League curse by booking their place in the quarter final.
Keeper David Raya was the hero on the night as his penalty shootout heroics saw off Porto.
The Gunners won 1-0 on the night thanks to Leandro Trossard’s opener which levelled the tie on aggregate.
And following shootout victory, Arsenal are into their first Champions League quarters since 2010.
But they are not happy memories to look back on.
The first-leg was drawn 2-2 at the Emirates giving the Gunners some hope heading into the return tie at the Nou Camp.
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Arsene Wenger picked a backline of Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermaelen, Mikael Silvestre and Gael Clichy with Manuel Almunia in goal.
Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri made up the midfield with Theo Walcott, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner up front.
It was actually Arsenal cult hero Bendtner who gave the visitor’s a shock lead on the night after 18 minutes.
But it soon became the Lionel Messi show after the future six-time Ballon d’Or winner scored FOUR, completing a first-half hat-trick.
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Arsenal’s Champions League record
Gunners break their last-16 curse
- 2010-11 vs Barcelona – L 4-3 on aggregate
- 2011-12 vs AC Milan – L 4-3 on aggregate
- 2012-13 vs Bayern Munich – D 3-3 (out on away goals)
- 2013-14 vs Bayern Munich – L 3-1 on aggregate
- 2014-15 vs Monaco – D 3-3 (out on away goals)
- 2015-16 vs Barcelona – L 5-1 on aggregate
- 2016-17 vs Bayern Munich – L 10-2 on aggregate
- 2023-24 vs Porto – D 1-1 win on pens (through 4-2 on penalties)
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The match ended 4-1 and 6-3 overall but Arsenal watched as Inter Milan went onto knock Barca out in the semis and win the lot.
Arsenal would meet Barca again the following season, this time in the last 16 where they were again dumped out by the Spaniards.
This time, though, Pep Guardiola’s legendary side went onto win the whole thing, beating Manchester United 3-1 in the final.
Barca are five-time Champions League winners but have no got their hands on the trophy since 2015.
Meanwhile Arsenal have made it to the final only once before only to suffer heartbreak… to Barca.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
