“Can we stop crying and focus on the next match” is how I feel right now.
We lost to Porto through a last minute stunner. It was a frustrating game to watch (due to Porto players doing what Porto players have done since the Jose years), and it was a frustrating finish. But as is always the way these days, the reaction has been over the top.
I have seen a lot of noise in the last 24 hours from the negative nancies who over analyse everything in an attempt to spread their negativity.
I have seen fans blaming David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli and others. This really does need to stop. The OTT analysis of a defeat and the blame game.
Thierry Henry once again provided the best analysis of the situation, pointing out had Martinelli’s pass hit the target we would have had a 3 on 2 and a good opportunity to go 1-nil up. With 6 men back, it there was very little risk in Martinelli playing that pass. 99 times out of 100 if it went to the opposition the loss of possession comes to nothing. This was the 1 in 100 where the misplaced pass led to a worldie strike.
Fans need to realise that losing is part of football, and it will always be part of football. If your bar of expectation is that the team you support should never lose a game, never disappoint you, then maybe football – and sport in general – should not be your thing.
I thought Mikel Arteta spoke brilliantly after the game, showing that the performance had taught him a lot and he already had his plan for the home leg in his head. Of course the best laid plans might not always come off.
The criticism after Porto is not too dissimilar to that which some fans delivered after the Lens defeat in France. We went on to win the home game comfortably.
The squad would have already forgotten about Wednesday. They would have had their debrief session and moved on to focus on the Newcastle game. I would advise fans to do the same.
We do not face Porto until 12 March. We have 3 Premier League games before then. If we are to win this league title, we need to keep the focus on the next game.
In depth analysis of Porto will be done by Arteta and his team in preparation for the 2nd leg. For now it will be about communicating the game plan to best Newcastle with.
Winners quickly move on after a defeat. Losers dwell on the past.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
The fan base are overreacting. Need to realise Arteta has reset the club. first season in UCL, its a different challenge to europa league. No doubt the porto underhand tactics played a part in our poor performance but the boys should learn from this. Fans should be encouraged we lost only 1 0 and to a worldie based on the fact we dominated the ball with little threat – but we know arsenal have a major threat to them, as you said move on and we need to spank those blimmining georgies
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As it was with RC Lens, so will it be with Porto. Kiwior was nutmegged in that match also, and i was pissed they ran away with a 2-1 victory; but didn’t see the thumping coming up at the Emirates. The return will definitely be different; with some players back from injury. Before then, Newcastle on my mind! I’d waited all these months since the dubious 1-0 win to avenge. That victory, and against Villa, i seek so dearly!
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