3 positives & negatives as Arsenal emerge victorious from Porto penalty shootout

Positive #2: Electric Emirates Stadium

Since Arsenal introduced a ballot system for ticketing, there has been a notable drop-off in the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, which had been incredible last season.

But after pleas from Arteta and fan groups alike, last night saw a level of energy among fans that was probably at its highest level of the season so far, and possibly for a number of years.

Speaking after the game, Arteta lauded the atmosphere, saying: "Thank you so much [to the fans], honestly, we absolutely love them [the fans]. The energy that they brought, how positive they are, the whole game with the team and the way they contributed, they made us win as simple as that."

Negative #2: Keeping possession a struggle at times

As well as a lack of cutting-edge, keeping possession was a clear problem for the Gunners, especially in the first half.

And, before you cite Arsenal's 58% possession in the game to shut this point down, I am not speaking about general play, but instead about key moments.

There were a number of moments, both offensively and defensively, where Arsenal gave away possession at a pivotal time that either ended a threatening chance entirely through our own doing, or left us vulnerable to a Porto attack.

Ultimately it did not cost us, so maybe it is a trivial point, but against tougher teams in the latter stages of the competition, these mistakes will be punished, so we cannot repeat them.

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