Mikel Arteta challenges Arsenal to break their Champions League last-16 curse against Porto.

“He has a future,” exclaimed Pep Guardiola with a smile when asked about the qualities of Kylian Mbappe. The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, shares a similar optimism about his team’s return to UEFA Champions League knockout football. With their recent good form in domestic competitions, Arteta believes his players can carry that momentum into Europe.

The Gunners are set to face Porto in the last 16, with the first leg taking place at the Estadio do Dragao. Arteta expressed his excitement about reaching this stage of the competition, emphasizing the team’s hard work to get there. He sees this as an incredible experience and is looking forward to the challenge.

For Arsenal, this is their first appearance in the last 16 since 2017, and Arteta is well aware of the club’s previous struggles in this round. He stressed the importance of maintaining focus and attention to detail if they want to progress further. Drawing from his own experiences as a player, Arteta understands the difficulties of European competition and knows that every detail and individual performance matters.

As a coach, Arteta approaches the game differently but still emphasizes the importance of being oneself and playing to their strengths. He wants his team to understand the context of the game, the type of team they are facing, and the atmosphere they will encounter. Confidence and belief are key for Arsenal, especially after their impressive run of five wins in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals and conceding only two.

Defender Gabriel echoed Arteta’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to take each game step by step and not get ahead of themselves. He acknowledges the difficulties of the Champions League and the challenges that lie ahead. Gabriel is focused on putting Arsenal on top and is grateful for the opportunity to represent the club.

Fans can watch the Porto vs Arsenal match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 19:00 UK time. TNT Sports is available on major TV platforms, and fans can also subscribe through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. Arteta and his team are hoping to continue their impressive form and make a statement in the Champions League.