Gabriel confident Arsenal are in ‘a crescendo’ ahead of Champions League clash with FC Porto


Gabriel believes Arsenal are peaking at just the right time in their bid to win the Champions League and Premier League.

Five straight wins have fired the Gunners back into the title race and tonight they resume their push for European glory.

Arsenal face Porto away in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, and manager Mikel Arteta has told his players to dream of lifting the trophy at Wembley on June 1.

Asked if Arsenal have the quality in their squad to compete for both the Champions League and Premier League this season, Gabriel said: “Of course, the team is in a crescendo.

“We have learned a lot in the last few years and now we are in a crescendo, at a very good level. We can compete in any competition. The Champions League is a different feeling, but we are prepared.”

Arsenal are out to break their Champions League last-16 hoodoo, having lost at this stage on seven consecutive occasions since they last reached the quarter-finals in 2010.

Arteta insists that history is “irrelevant” and has set his sights on winning the tournament.

Gabriel said: “[Arteta] has encouraged us. We know it is a very important match, we are facing a great team with a great history in the Champions League, but we are ready. We’re in a really good moment and hope that will continue.”

Arsenal have been in brilliant form since their mid-season winter break last month. They have scored 21 goals in five straight wins, including a 6-0 hammering of West Ham and a 5-0 victory at Burnley in their past two League games.

The Gunners are just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and their recent good form has filled Arteta with confidence ahead of the game in Portugal.

“It should be incredible to have that feeling to lift that cup in London,” said the Arsenal manager. “It is there. It is in our minds. It is a dream but there are a lot of things you have to earn the right to do before that and we have a big obstacle ahead of us. We are really looking forward to it.”

Story continues

Daring to dream: Arteta wants his side to dream of Champions League glory (PA)

The last time Arsenal played in the last-16 of the Champions League, they were humiliated 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in 2017.

But Arteta insists his players will not be weighed down by the past. “They know that what happened in the past is irrelevant,” he said. “It is the challenge and ambition that we have now to go through.”

Arsenal are still without Gabriel Jesus (knee), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) and Thomas Partey (thigh), but midfielder Fabio Vieira is fit again.

Porto, who are third in the Portuguese league, finished second behind Barcelona in their Champions League group on goal difference — having lost both at home and away against the Catalan giants.

“I’m really impressed with Porto, I know the manager [Sergio Conceicao] really well and the history that they have,” added Arteta.

“It’s been seven years that we haven’t been here and we are all full of energy and excitement to play the game we want to.”

Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa insists Arsenal have weaknesses they can exploit.

He said: “Everyone has their weaknesses, they haven’t faced FC Porto yet and they will certainly have their difficulties.

“I guarantee we will do our best to win. If they are favourites, they have to demonstrate it.”



source

Recommended For You

About the Author: soccernews