quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 but warned they still have a “mountain to climb” if they are to win the competition.on penalties over Porto at the Emirates, having levelled the tie with a 1-0 win secured through Leandro Trossard’s first-half goal. A tense and nervy 120 minutes of few clear chances went to the fire but two David Raya saves in the shootout meant the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all potential opponents in Friday’s draw.
Arteta reserved special praise for Raya, who saved brilliantly from both Wendell and Galeno in the most eyecatching contribution of an Arsenal career that started nervously upon his arrival from Brentford in August. “David had some difficult moments at the start,” he said. “He has stood up with incredible personality and ambition and in the end he’s been rewarded.”
Asked whether a quarter-final berth made the prospect of a first Champions League title feel more realistic, Arteta opted to remain coy. “I think it’s still very far,” he said. “Now I’m going to sit at home, I’m going to look at the other teams we have to play and start another big mountain to climb.