A Mediocre Arsenal team was Defeated by Porto thanks to a late goal from Galeno

Arsenal were left shocked when Galeno found the net in stoppage time, giving Porto the upper hand in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 match.

The Brazilian winger executed a few touches to position himself perfectly before elegantly curling the ball into the net, leaving David Raya with no chance to save it.

Sergio Conceicao’s team could have taken the lead in the first half when Galeno’s shot hit the post and he missed the rebound.

Arsenal narrowly escaped a setback, but Galeno secured the win in the final moments of the game.

Nico Gonzalez missed a chance to score as the home team attempted to take the lead in the first half.

Arsenal controlled the ball for most of the game but couldn’t manage to get a shot on goal, as William Saliba and Kai Havertz missed their chances from corner kicks.

Arsenal will be playing the second leg at Emirates Stadium on 12 March, with hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009-10.

Arsenal had numerous chances from set-pieces but struggled to convert them into goals. In one of the instances, a corner from Declan Rice was struck on the volley by Leandro Trossard, but he sent it over the bar.

Arsenal are just the fifth side to lose five successive knockout stage games in the Champions League

Arsenal appeared nervous in their first Champions League knockout tie since 2017, failing to display the impressive form that has seen them score 21 goals in their first five Premier League games of the calendar year.

It was only the second time on record (since 2003-04) that the Gunners did not have a shot on target in a Champions League game, previously failing in such a way at Barcelona in the last 16 in March 2011.

Bukayo Saka struggled to make an impact against the Porto defence, while Havertz missed a clear chance with a header.

Mikel Arteta’s team appeared to be securing a draw but lost focus at the last moment and paid the price for Galeno’s brilliance.

Porto is currently in third place in the Liga Portugal, trailing Benfica and Sporting Lisbon by seven points. Despite Arsenal’s previous attempts, they have never won at the Estadio do Dragao, managing only one draw and suffering three losses.

Arsenal has only managed to win the first leg in one of their last 12 two-legged knockout ties, with losses in the last seven first-leg matches.

Arsenal must step up their game in London next month to avoid being eliminated in the last-16 stage for the eighth time in a row from Europe’s top-tier competition.