Arsenal’s Goalkeeper Becomes a Fan Favourite with Penalty Saves, Kiwior and Odegaard Shine in Porto Victory

Arsenal’s progression to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 was secured in dramatic fashion, with a penalty shootout win over Porto. The tense match, which had very few clear chances, ultimately saw the Gunners triumph 4-2 in penalties, with David Raya emerging as the star.

Raya, who has had a mixed start to life at Arsenal, proved his worth by saving two crucial penalties, including one from Galeno, who had caused problems for Arsenal in the first leg. His performances this season had raised questions, particularly after Mikel Arteta’s bold decision to sign him over established number one Aaron Ramsdale. However, Raya’s heroics in this match, saving at full stretch, cement his status as a fan favourite and fully justified Arteta’s decision.

The game was tightly contested throughout, with Martin Ødegaard providing a moment of magic to break the deadlock. After skilfully evading the Porto defence, Ødegaard played in Leandro Trossard, whose calm finish gave Arsenal the lead. Ødegaard’s creativity and leadership were key in a match where chances were scarce, and though his potential match-winner was ruled out by the referee due to a Kai Havertz foul, his influence on the game was undeniable.

Another player to impress was Jakub Kiwior, who repaid Arteta’s faith after being given a run of starts in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Kiwior, playing at left-back, delivered his best performance since joining Arsenal in January 2023. His solid defensive work against Porto’s Francisco Conceição and composure on the ball showed that he’s a worthy competitor for a regular spot in the starting lineup.

This victory marked a crucial milestone for Arsenal, who now look ahead to their first Champions League quarter-final in 14 years, with a memorable win that combined heroics from Raya, leadership from Ødegaard, and resilience from Kiwior.