Arsenal is still too inexperienced in the Champion League arena

 Arsenal just lost 0-1 at Porto's field in the early morning of February 22. The obsession of the 1/8 round of the Champions League once again looms over the dressing room of the team that is racing for the championship in the English Premier League.

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When was the last time Arsenal was in the quarter-finals of the Champions League? To find the answer, it is necessary to go back in time to the 2016/17 season. But perhaps those who love the capital London football team do not want to remember. Because at that time, Arsenal had to stop in the 1/8 round, after being humiliated by Bayern Munich with a total score of... 10-2 after 2 matches.

Before the disaster with Bayern Munich, Arsenal also experienced 6 consecutive seasons having to stop playing in the Champions League early in the 1/8 round. The bad luck has plagued the "Gunners" since the 2010/11 season. In the 1/8 round of Europe's most prestigious football tournament at that time, the London capital team had a 2-1 advantage over Barca in the first leg at Emirates Stadium. But in the rematch at Camp Nou, they lost 1-3, on the day striker Lionel Messi shined with a double.

What happened in the early morning of February 22 on Porto's field made many Arsenal lovers suddenly startled and feel worried about the home team due to the Champions League curse. Despite being rated higher than their opponents, coach Mikel Arteta's team had to suffer a 0-1 defeat in Portugal due to striker Galeno's only goal in stoppage time.

Galeno scored in injury time

Arsenal had a very unconvincing performance at Do Dragao Stadium. Post-match statistics show that, during more than 90 minutes of play, the team from the English capital did not have any shots on Porto's goal. This is the first time in 2 years that the "Gunners" have experienced a match where the opponent's goalkeeper "sat and idled" the whole match.

In this match, Arsenal did not have striker Gabriel Jesus due to injury. Replacing the former Man City player alongside Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in attack is striker Leandro Trossard. According to statistics, during their time on the field, this trio only created 2 shots and the ball did not hit the target.

Obviously, the Champions League is still an extremely harsh level for Arsenal. In Europe's most prestigious tournament, Coach Arteta's students are still just "kids". They were too inexperienced, typically Martinelli's careless pass, which created conditions for Porto striker Galeno to score a super goal into goalkeeper David Raya's net.

The Gunners did not have any shots on goal against Porto

Arsenal's immaturity is not too difficult to understand. Except for Kai Havertz, all 10 remaining players in the starting lineup of the capital London team have just breathed the passionate atmosphere of the Champions League knock-out round for the first time. Being clumsy, clumsy, and even somewhat "overwhelmed" is unavoidable for Mr. Arteta's students.

But saying that doesn't mean Arsenal won't be able to overcome the Champions League curse this season. Anyway, coach Arteta also owns a team with many stars, who have played cohesively in the past few years. They are also playing quite successfully in the English Premier League. With home field advantage, the possibility of Arsenal turning the situation against Porto cannot be ruled out.

Instead of concluding, let me remind you that, the last time Arsenal passed the 1/8 round of the Champions League, their defeat was also... Porto. Specifically, in the 2009/10 season, they lost 1-2 in the first leg in Portugal. But in the second leg, the "Gunners" won 5-0 at Emirates' home stadium to advance straight to the quarterfinals.