Following Monday’s Champions League round of 16 draw, which pitted Arsenal against FC Porto, Gunners technical director Edu has emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s current form rather than dwelling on potential outcomes.
Speaking to reporters after the draw, Edu acknowledged the challenge posed by Porto but stressed that Arsenal’s primary focus remains on replicating their impressive displays throughout the group stage.
“The most important thing for us is to maintain the way we’ve been playing,” Edu stated. “We know Porto are a very strong team, especially in this competition, and they have a lot of experience. But we have to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we are at our best in both legs.”
Arsenal topped Group A with five wins and a draw, showcasing a potent blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity. Edu believes that if the team can carry this momentum into the knockout stages, they have a good chance of progressing further in the competition.
“We’ve shown what we are capable of in the group stage,” Edu continued. “We were one of the best teams in the competition, and we deserve to be here. Now we need to show that again against Porto and prove that we can compete at the highest level.”
The first leg of the tie will take place at the Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2024, with the return leg scheduled for March 6 at the Estadio do Dragao. While Arsenal may be considered slight favorites against Porto, Edu is wary of complacency.
There are no easy games in the Champions League,” Edu cautioned. “We have to respect Porto and give them the credit they deserve. But we also have to believe in ourselves and go out there and play our own game. If we do that, I am confident that we can progress to the quarter-finals.”
Arsenal’s fans will be hoping that Edu’s words of caution and optimism ring true as the team embarks on this next chapter in their Champions League journey. With their current form and a favorable draw, the Gunners have a genuine opportunity to make a deep run in the competition and silence their doubters.
