Arteta is killing the team I stressed myself to build,if not how can you bench a world-class player for someone that is not even suppose to be playing for Burnley, This is not the legacy I left behind’: Arsene Wenger tells Arteta to bench £70m player against Newcastle if truly He wants to earn His respect

Arsenal’s Disappointing Display Against Porto in Champions League Clash

As Arsenal took to the pitch for their highly anticipated Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Porto, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. With their stellar performance streak in the Premier League, the Gunners were considered strong contenders for victory. However, the game unfolded in a manner that defied expectations, leaving fans and pundits alike surprised.

The match wasn’t a showcase of stellar football from either side. While Mikel Arteta’s squad wasn’t notably inferior to their opponents, they struggled to mount any threatening attacks throughout the game. Despite maintaining possession for only 35% of the match, the home side managed to carve out clearer scoring opportunities, with Wenderson Galeno narrowly missing a chance to put Porto ahead in the first half. However, Galeno redeemed himself with a stunning 94th-minute goal, securing a late victory for his team.

Although this setback isn’t catastrophic for Arsenal’s European aspirations, it certainly complicates their path to success. While the entire team underperformed, two players stood out for their ineffective contributions.

Bukayo Saka, usually a shining star for the Gunners, failed to shine on this occasion. Despite his recent excellent form, his performance against Porto was lackluster. Simon Collings of The Standard rated Saka’s performance a mere 5/10, noting his minimal impact on the game and lack of end product. Analyzing his statistics from the match reveals a disappointing expected goals figure of just 0.02, along with a lack of shots on target and inaccurate crosses. Saka’s struggles were evident, casting doubt on his ‘world-class’ status in recent discussions.

Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli, tasked with making an impact from the left flank, failed to leave a mark on the game. Unlike his standout performance against Burnley in the previous match, Martinelli struggled to influence proceedings against Porto. Collings rated his performance a modest 5/10, describing him as quiet for much of the game. Martinelli’s statistics paint a grim picture, with minimal expected assists, no shots, and a high number of unsuccessful dribbles and lost possessions.

The disappointing performances of Saka and Martinelli highlight Arsenal’s struggles in the attacking third. As they prepare for the second leg against Porto at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners will be eager to rectify their mistakes and reclaim their form. March 12th looms as a crucial opportunity for redemption, and Arsenal’s attackers will be under pressure to deliver a vastly improved performance on home turf.