Arsenal's past demons show that Porto will be no easy task

Every Arsenal fan knows this picture for all the wrong reasons, and it's the reason that we can't let ourselves get too carried away just yet.

Despite losing with the last kick of the match in Portugal, the general consensus across world football is that Arsenal will batter Porto when they come to the Emirates. Scoring 23 goals and conceding just 2 goals in their last five games, there’s no reason the Premier League’s leaders won’t run over their opponent in the second leg.

Don’t be so sure.

This time last year, Arsenal were in a very similar situation. In the middle of a five league game span with a goal difference of +14, the Gunners hosted a Sporting side that held them to a 2-2 draw in Lisbon.

49% possession. Two less shots. A 1-1 draw followed by a 3-5 loss on penalties.

Arsenal were knocked out of Europe.

In 2021, Villareal held onto a 2-1 home win with a goalless draw at the Emirates.

Arsenal were knocked out of Europe.

In 2020, Olympiacos overcame a 1-0 loss by travelling to the Emirates and scoring a 120th minute winner.

Arsenal were knocked out of Europe.

Don’t get me wrong – I am confident that Arsenal will get the job done at home. We are a different team now than we were during previous European campaigns and have even showed an unmatchable tenacity in return fixtures where we lost the first game.

The point I’m making is this – with Martinelli likely missing through injury and a massive six-pointer against Manchester City next up on the cards, it would be foolish to write Porto off before a ball is even kicked. Arteta will need to field a strong side to ensure progression, and the players will need to be at their best to overcome the one goal deficit that stands before them.

One thing is for sure – for Arsenal’s character and future title aspirations, it is vital that Arteta’s men are able to overcome their demons and win this match.