‘Amazing’ – Arteta hails Arsenal fans after Champions League triumph

Mikel Arteta thanked Arsenal fans for their role in helping the team reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Gunners beat Porto on penalties on a dramatic night at the Emirates Stadium, where the atmosphere was incredible from start to finish.

And boss Arteta was quick to praise the home crowd for their support.


“It was amazing, from the start until the end when they had to do that extra bit with the penalties,” he said at his post-match press conference.

“They were so smart in the way they helped us. A huge thank-you, because with them we are much better and they impacted the game in a really strong way.”

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Arsenal levelled the tie when Leandro Trossard scored after being set up captain Martin Odegaard.

Keeper David Raya was the hero in the shootout, saving penalties from Wendell and Galeno, while Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all converted their spot-kicks for Arteta’s side.

Arteta described the victory as a “magic night” and “a huge experience for us” but insisted it was too soon to think about the possibility of Arsenal winning the tournament.

He said: “There’s still very far (to go). Now I’m going to sit at home and look at the teams – who do we have to play? There is still a big mountain to climb.”