Arsenal head into their crucial Champions League clash against Porto with the wind firmly in their sails. Mikel Arteta, no longer content with just challenging for the top four, has declared his team’s burning desire to land major silverware.
Sitting pretty at the Premier League summit and boasting an eight-game winning streak, the Gunners are oozing confidence. Their recent 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United was merely the latest chapter in a dominant domestic run. However, the 1-0 loss in Portugal three weeks ago serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that await in Europe.
While acknowledging the need to “tweak a few things” compared to their lackluster first-leg showing, Arteta is brimming with optimism. He knows the Emirates faithful will be crucial in creating a special atmosphere: “We need them [the crowd] playing every ball with us… It’s a beautiful opportunity to live one of those nights.”
This renewed ambition isn’t solely driven by their league position. Captain Martin Ødegaard highlights the lessons learned from last season’s near-miss in the Premier League title race. “We’re a better team,” he declared. “We’ve taken what happened last season to make us better this season.”
Arsenal fans are daring to dream. The club hasn’t reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 2010, but with a potent attack firing on all cylinders and a steely resolve evident in their recent form, anything seems possible. Tuesday night’s encounter against Porto is a chance to rewrite history. Can they overturn the deficit and take a significant step towards continental glory? One thing’s for sure: the red and white half of North London is well and truly back in the business of believing.
