Arsenal extend winless run at Porto to four, lose 1-0

Arsenal fell to a late 1-0 first leg defeat to their host, Porto in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie to extend their winless run at the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal.

The Gunners dominated possession but didn’t make it count and will now have to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg after Galeno’s late strike gave the host the advantage.

‘It’s tough to play here. They are really well organised and we have some problems, especially in the first half to attack much better.

‘But when we had total control, dominance of the game and we looked to be more of a threat, play more in the final third, generate I think 10 or 12 corners, we didn’t make enough of that.

‘And then the way we gave the ball away, especially in those deep areas in the Champions League, you pay the price and now it’s just half time. It’s clear what we have to do. Now, it’s more clear than before. You want to be in the quarter finals, you have to beat the opponent and, we’re going prepare that for our supporters to have a real go, Arteta said after the game.

The Gunners will however be hoping for a repeat of what happened 14 years ago when they faced Porto at this of the competition, and turned around a one-goal defeat from the first leg and triumphed 5-0 at home to progress.

‘We have to create a special atmosphere and we have to really go for it, and get some momentum in the game and manage the game really well because today was foul after foul and we had some help from the ref to do that, but I’m sure it will work out. The second leg will take on March 12 at the Emirates stadium in North London.