Champions League

ARSENAL may have got through to the Champions League quarter-finals – but they left their shooting boots at home against Porto.The Gunners claimed a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory after David Raya’s double save allowed them to scrape through to Friday’s last-eight draw.Arsenal were limited to a few attempts on target across both legsCredit: RexSpot-kicks were needed to settle the tie after Leandro Trossard’s first-half strike made it 1-1 on aggregate.But Mikel Arteta’s side were limited to only four shots on target across both games.And all of them came on Tuesday’s tense affair at the Emirates – just two on target attempts in each half.After failing to challenge keeper Diogo Costa three weeks ago, Arsenal were again frustrated by a defensive Porto for long periods. READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSIt took a world-class pass from Martin Odegaard to finally put them on the scoreboard after 130 minutes of trying.That – and Odegaard’s disallowed goal – were the only times Arsenal were able to force the ball past the keeper across two games.One fan wrote: “Arsenal had the same number of shots on target in the penalty shoot-out (4), as they did in 180 minutes over the two legs against Porto (not including extra time).”While another tweeted: “Over 210 minutes of football, free-scoring Arsenal managed to get 4 shots on target against Porto. All 4 came tonight at home. Sergio Conceicao, ladies & gents.”Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThis is a far cry from their free-scoring domestic form, which has left them top of the Premier League.The Gunners have netted an incredible 34 goals during a run of eight successive league wins – which amounts to an average of almost 4.5 goals per game.Porto boss Sergio Conceicao claims Mikel Arteta made horror insult during last-16 clash and blasts result as ‘unjust’Their current league tally stands at 68 – the most in the division and the most Arsenal have ever had at this stage of a campaign in the Premier League era, even more than the Invincibles season.And yet, less than three months ago, boss Mikel Arteta was under serious pressure to finally splash out on an elite No9 to take the North London club to the next level.Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Trossard, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Odegaard have all stood up in that time, hitting 24 goals between them since January 1.But fans noticed Saka’s quiet night against Wendell on Tuesday – although the England international did get the better of him in the shoot-out.Arsenal had been knocked out at the last-16 stage in their last seven appearances in the competition and are through to their first quarter in 14 years.The Gunners will be grateful their meeting with Chelsea initially scheduled for this weekend has been postponed. The Blues will face Championship leaders Leicester in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. More

FOOTIE fans reckon Declan Rice had a “Gary Lineker” moment in Arsenal’s win over Porto.Rice anchored the Gunners’ midfield in their Champions League last-16 triumph over the Portuguese giants.Declan Rice was at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield in their Champions League clash with PortoCredit: GETTYThe unfortunate placing of some mud on his backside had footie fans joking that he’d accidentally done a number twoCredit: TNT SPORTSBut the unfortunate placing of some mud on his shorts ended up being one of the big talking points after the match.A streak of mud and some grass on his backside had football fans joking that the England international had pooed himself.One wrote on X: “Did Declan Rice s**t his pants?”Another said: “No wayyyy.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd another said: “Eww, that man s**t his pants.”One remarked: “Declan Rice’s bowels think he’s Gary Lineker.”Another chimed in: “Is Declan Rice the new Gary Lineker?”Most sensible footie fans, however, were quick to blast suggestions Rice had done a number two.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne wrote: “It’s literally from the ground.”Another said: “It’s mud.”LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Declan Rice of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Porto at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)And another said: “No mate that’s mud.”Match of the Day presenter and former Barcelona hitman Gary Lineker famously lost control of his bowels during England’s 1990 World Cup opener against Ireland.Recalling the incident, he said: “I’d been ill overnight and it was the opening day of the cup and I’d woken up a few times with diarrhoea, etc.”I didn’t want to tell Bobby Robson because I thought he might leave me out of the team, and I wanted to play, as always.”Anyway the game started and I was alright, then about 20 minutes I started cramping. “Somehow I made it through to half-time and I thought I’d be alright.”The ball went left down the Irish left hand side and I ran across and tried to block something. “I sort of fell to the ground and relaxed for a second and it just went ‘boom’. Gary Lineker accidentally soiled his pants while on England duty”It was like, ‘Oh my god,’ but it was everywhere.”Arsenal booked their place in the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in 14 years thanks to a shootout victory after a 1-1 draw on aggregate.When asked if he was confident going into the shootout, manager Mikel Arteta said: “‘No, [I wasn’t].”Because practising in the training ground, a few of them missed by the way yesterday, not today.”We prepare everything, the extra-time, the scenarios, the changes, how the players have to drink and eat.”And all that and in the end, you have to do it in the game, and to replicate the scenarios is really difficult.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Total credit to the boys, stepping up with maturity, with that confidence and they delivered.”The North Londoners will learn their fate for the last eight on Friday afternoon.Arsenal beat Porto on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions LeagueCredit: GETTY More

DAVID RAYA showed exactly why Mikel Arteta was so keen to bring him in as his penalty saves sent Arsenal into the Champions League quarter-finals.He was joined in his penalty heroics by Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who all showed nerves of steel to convert their spot kicks.It was dreamland for Arsenal as they won on penaltiesCredit: AFPDavid Raya provided two saves in the shootoutCredit: GettyThe Gunners had to dig deep to get there though, facing an uphill battle tonight having lost the first leg in Porto 1-0.When Leandro Trossard gave the Gunners the lead it looked as though they would go on to grab a second and maybe more with ease.But it wasn’t to be, Porto were gritty, and fortified themselves into an unbreachable base.In the end though, the Gunners showed composure when it mattered most and their fans will be eagerly awaiting the identity of their opponents in the last eight.READ MORE ON ARSENALHere’s how the Arsenal players rated…David Raya – 10Very little to do initially except watch a few long-rangers from Porto whizz past his post, but looked calm on the ball and his distribution was as consistent as ever.But what he did in the shoot-out was special. Two saves of the highest quality to send his side through to the quarter finals.CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Ben White – 7His telepathy with Bukayo Saka was not quite there in the first half and struggled to get into as many attacking positions as he has been over the past couple of weeks.Most read in FootballKate Abdo reveals that Micah Richards flew in a day early for ‘special treatment’ ahead of Arsenal vs Porto clashImproved after the break. Arteta’s Mr Reliable put in a real shift.William Saliba – 6Perhaps the 22-year-old showed some nerves on such a big stage, heading long balls into danger when he had time to touch it down on two occasions before picking up a needless yellow card in the 38th minute.Gabriel – 7Showed some much-needed resilience with his partner on a yellow card for most of the match. The only disappointment was his lack of effectiveness from attacking set-pieces – a real strength of his game this season.Jakub Kiwior – 8Yet another solid display in a position that is not natural to him.Ironically, he now looks like Arsenal’s first choice left-back. His positioning and covering was superb, including a massive goal-saving tackle in his own box.Jorginho – 7Added some steel and experience to this midfield, as well as some composure in the first half when Arsenal were being frustrated in and out of possession.Looked tired as the game wore on and was right of Arteta to bring him off when he did.Declan Rice – 8Lung-busting until the end, galloping from box to box but his chances to dart in for a goal scoring opportunity were rare given the nature of the game.Looked to enjoy dictating from deep at times in a leadership role when Arsenal needed it.Rice continues to show why Arsenal paid the money for himCredit: EPAMartin Odegaard – 8Looked even more revved up than usual. His pressing was tireless, creating early inroads for his side before a beautifully weighted assist to tee up Leandro Trossard.Was so unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the second half after his cute dink was ruled out for a harsh foul in the build-up.Bukayo Saka – 7Was kicked to shreds from the first minute but his blistering pace wreaked havoc down the right, and got more joy in terms of threatening the goal later in the game.But ultimately, he was very wasteful when chances fell to him.Kai Havertz – 7Did a lot of the dirty work up top and almost forced the goal to make it 2-0 only to have been judged to shove Pepe in the back before Odegaard converted.Leandro Trossard – 7Looked slightly off the pace until his brilliant finish into the corner just before the break. Faded away again after that, but was entrusted by Arteta to remain on the left.Trossard’s goal proved to be crucialCredit: GettySubsGabriel Jesus (on for Jorginho 83′) – 7Had a great chance moments after coming on but his effort from a tight angle was well smothered by Porto keeper Diogo Costa. Made a big impact and looked lively.READ MORE SUN STORIESOleksandr Zinchenko (on for Jakub Kiwior 106′) – 5Was brought on to bring composure and a bit of maturity, but struggled to do both, as well as being clumsy on the ball in the wrong areas.Eddie Nketiah (on for Leandro Trossard 106′) – 6Teed up Saka with a deft pass in the box that should have been finished late in injury time. More