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

The recent match failed to showcase exemplary football from either team. Despite Mikel Arteta’s squad not being notably inferior to their opponents, they found it challenging to launch threatening attacks throughout the game. Despite holding possession for only 35% of the match, the home side managed to create clearer scoring opportunities, with Wenderson Galeno narrowly missing a chance to put Porto ahead in the first half. Nonetheless, Galeno redeemed himself with a stunning 94th-minute goal, clinching a late victory for his team.

While this defeat doesn’t spell disaster for Arsenal’s European ambitions, it certainly adds complexity to their journey towards success. While the entire team underperformed, two players particularly stood out for their ineffective contributions.

Bukayo Saka, typically a standout performer for the Gunners, failed to shine on this occasion. Despite his recent impressive form, his performance against Porto fell short. Simon Collings of The Standard rated Saka’s display a mere 5/10, highlighting his minimal impact on the game and lack of end product. A closer look at his match statistics reveals a disappointing expected goals figure of just 0.02, coupled with a scarcity of shots on target and inaccurate crosses. Saka’s struggles were evident, raising questions about his recent discussions of being ‘world-class’.

Likewise, Gabriel Martinelli, entrusted with making an impact from the left flank, failed to make his presence felt in the game. Unlike his standout performance against Burnley in the preceding match, Martinelli found it challenging to influence proceedings against Porto. Collings assessed his performance as a modest 5/10, describing him as subdued for much of the game. Martinelli’s statistics paint a bleak picture, with minimal expected assists, no shots, and a high number of unsuccessful dribbles and turnovers.

The disappointing displays of Saka and Martinelli underscore Arsenal’s difficulties in the attacking third. As they gear up for the second leg against Porto at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners will be eager to address their shortcomings and rediscover their form. March 12th looms as a pivotal opportunity for redemption, with Arsenal’s attackers facing significant pressure to deliver a vastly improved performance on home soil.