David Ornstein shares what he’s heard from Arsenal insiders after win over Porto

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Arsenal fans were treated to a tense yet ultimately euphoric European night on Tuesday as they reached the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Gunners hosted Porto at the Emirates Stadium, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, but didn’t need long to restore aggregate parity.

Shortly before the break, Leandro Trossard curled home into the far corner following an outstanding Martin Odegaard through-ball.

However, that was it in terms of goals, with neither side able to be separated come full time, prompting extra time and then penalties.

Arsenal made no mistake from the spot as Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were all on target from 12 yards out.

Meanwhile, Arsenal loanee David Raya superbly saved from Wendell and Galeno to put the Gunners into the last eight of the competition.

This morning, The Athletic’s David Ornstein spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about what is mood is like at the Emirates and Colney.

The Arsenal-leaning journalist shared what he has heard from Gunners insiders about the club’s hopes for the team.

“Last night was a famous evening at the Emirates,” said Ornstein. “It was one of the most iconic nights of Mikel Arteta’s time in charge of the club and certainly one that those players will remember.

From speaking to people at and around the club late last night and this morning they feel there is a growing sense of maturity around this group that they are learning how to win and get over the line on these big stages and that hadn’t happened before.”

Arsenal back in the big time as Premier League leaders and Champions League quarter-finalists

Tuesday night was the culmination of so much hard work at Arsenal, from the minute Mikel Arteta stepped in back in 2019 to all the training sessions and individual performances on the pitch.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Gunners were a banter club, a shadow of their former selves. However, that’s no longer the case. Arsenal are Premier League leaders and Champions League quarter-finalists.

And best of all, it’s all sustainable. Arsenal have a young team that has gelled together so well, contracts are now something the Gunners are very much on top of, and over the coming years, things should get even better.