Declan Rice admitted Galeno’s aim for Porto was a ‘kick within the tooth’ as Arsenal crashed to a late defeat within the Champions League.
Arsenal should overturn a first-leg defeat within the return of their last-16 tie after Porto scored a 94th-minute winner at The Estádio do Dragão. Regardless of dominating the ball, Arsenal had been unable to discover a breakthrough and lacked menace within the closing third, failing to register a shot on the right track in Portugal.
Porto defended properly all through and snatched the win with just about the final kick of the sport, as Galeno lower inside to bend a end into the far nook for his fifth aim of the Champions League season. Gabriel Martinelli had squandered possession within the build-up as he tried to launch Arsenal on the counter-attack and was punished as Galeno’s aim despatched the house followers wild.
“When it’s 0-0, you search for on the clock and it’s 93 minutes gone, in case you aren’t going to win the sport then don’t lose it,” Rice mirrored to TNT Sports activities.
“Possibly have the little bit of savviness about us to remain in and get a attract a troublesome stadium towards a troublesome opponent. Rather a lot to play for within the second leg.
“There have been a few giveaways on the sting of our field. They caught us on the counter and he’s caught one within the high nook which is absolutely disappointing. We’re actually optimistic as a gaggle, we’ve had such a superb begin to 2024 that we’re not going to let this get us down. We’ll tackle this recreation.”
Arsenal have been in free-scoring kind within the Premier League in latest weeks, netting 11 instances of their final two league fixtures. Nonetheless, the Gunners seemed in need of their finest within the closing third at Porto and Rice praised the Portuguese facet for his or her ‘arduous working’ method.
“They know what they’re doing. Porto are a very sincere, arduous working facet with nice gamers. We’ve to alter our method within the residence leg and provides it completely every little thing. Regardless that we’re a aim down it’s a pleasant aim to intention for once we can change it round within the residence leg.
“I believe it’s about retaining our heads. It’s arduous to concede that leg. Realizing how we play at residence, with our followers and power, I believe you’ll see a staff on the entrance foot from the beginning and we’ll be wanting to do this.”
On what classes Arsenal can be taught from the loss, Rice mentioned: “You don’t know what to anticipate, you’ll be able to’t overlook anybody ever as a result of it’s the Champions League.
“It’s an actual kick within the tooth as a result of we’ve conceded late however we all know what to do. We’re not going to let our heads drop, it’s about getting again, recovering, going once more within the Premier League, and we’ll be prepared once more for the Champions League for certain.”
Learn – Arteta important of Arsenal’s lack of aggression in Porto defeat
See extra – Remembering Arsenal’s seven straight Champions League last-16 exits
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