Mikel Arteta reveals penalty fears before Arsenal’s shootout win over Porto
Mikel Arteta’s team are into the last eight in the Champions League (Picture: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta was not entirely convinced Arsenal were going to win shootout against Porto on Tuesday night, having watched some of his players miss in training ahead of the Champions League clash.
The Gunners are into the quarter-finals after a 1-0 win over Porto at the Emirates levelled the tie up following a defeat by the same scoreline in Portugal.
That took the tie to a penalty shootout, where Arsenal were flawless and David Raya saved two spot-kicks from the Portuguese side to book a place in the quarter-finals.
It was a nerve-racking two matches for Arsenal and especially the climax of the tie from the spot, with Arteta admitting that he was far from relaxed ahead of the penalty kicks.
The Arsenal boss admitted that practice from 12 yards hardly went to plan, with a number of his players missing in training.
Asked if he was comfortable going into the shootout, he said: ‘No, because practising in the training ground, a few of them missed by the way yesterday, not today.
‘We prepare everything, the extra-time, the scenarios, the changes, how the players have to drink and eat and all that and in the end, you have to do it in the game, and to replicate the scenarios is really difficult. Total credit to the boys, stepping up with maturity, with that confidence and they delivered.’
Arteta celebrated with shootout hero David Raya after the dramatic win ...
source:
metro-arsenal
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