Massive game tonight.
Since Arteta took over in 2019 this is our home record in European knockout football (all games Europa)
2020* - Olympiakos - 1-2 aet (lost on away goals)
2021* - Benfica - 3-2 (won 4-3 on aggregate)
2021* - Olympiakos - 0-1 (won 3-2 on aggregate)
2021 - Slavia Prague - 1-1 (won 5-1 on aggregate)
2021* - Villarreal - 0-0 (lost 2-1 on aggregate)
2023* - Sporting 1-1 aet (lost on penalties)
* = home game was second leg
I guess the good news is the one win from 6 was against a Portuguese side. The bad news... that game was played in Greece
Along with the Benfica game, Olympiakos (2020), Villarreal and Sporting were all second legs. Unlike Benfica, those results saw us knocked out. Olympiakos (2021) was a second leg, but fortunately we had a 3-1 lead.
It is not a great record, in fact a rather worrying one. Tonight Porto will be happy to defend their lead, with the attacking threat more than capable of a breakaway threat.
It is a big test of Arteta's managerial ability. It would be a massive setback if we failed to qualify to the quarters.
European home record...
posted on 12/3/24
Not looking forward to tonight's game at all. I expect Porto to defend well, like they did in the first leg. Hopefully we have a stronger referee that doesn't give them a foul for every tiny bit of contact.
Think we'll really miss martinelli tonight. Hopefully jesus can start in his place.
posted on 12/3/24
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 2 minutes ago
Not looking forward to tonight's game at all. I expect Porto to defend well, like they did in the first leg. Hopefully we have a stronger referee that doesn't give them a foul for every tiny bit of contact.
Think we'll really miss martinelli tonight. Hopefully jesus can start in his place.
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Dunno, I think Marti is better in the big opposition battles rather than these tactical games. GJ and Tross are a bit calmer but I'd also go with GJ
posted on 12/3/24
I think the success rate in qualifying of teams winning the first leg 1-0 is rather high.
We probably need at least 3 tonight.
posted on 12/3/24
Damn thats not a good record, and even youd think with a worse team than you are now, being europa opposition would have been an equaliser.
I think you will be fine tonight, wouldn't be suprised with 2-0 but I think you will be fairly comfortable.
posted on 12/3/24
I am pretty nervous. Porto is an experienced side in the CL. I fear them. I expect to play the same way like they did in Porto. So it wont be easy.
posted on 12/3/24
Yeah I agree. It won't be easy and a real test for Arteta's management skills. The best way to win this imo is to attack, attack, attack and not let up.
posted on 12/3/24
You were nervous before the Sheffield United games tbf...
posted on 12/3/24
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 3 minutes ago
You were nervous before the Sheffield United games tbf...
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Yeah but this is win or nothing game.
posted on 12/3/24
Wow what an awful record. Has to put it right tonight
posted on 12/3/24
Worst thing is he always played his preferred XI so no excuse there.
Saliba and Partey getting injured last year, playing Leno in the first season instead of "cup keeper" Martinez in the first only for Leno to help gift Olympiakos a late equaliser and then Aubas at the death only some of the home shockers for Arteta.
All will be forgotten if we win tonight.