ISAAN KHAN: Arsenal’s dramatic Champions League win over Porto can be their catalyst for success this season… the Gunners aren’t perfect but are hard to beat and desperate to win a trophy

A nighttime penalty shootout thriller was never on the cards. To be fair to Porto, just like in the first leg, they were rigid, stubborn and willing to fight.

For Arsenal, the price of this victory is insurmountable. A place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League awaits for the first time in 14 years.

Of course, as many forecasters said earlier, they expected to do business within the regulatory time.

Porto is a good team. But, as the Portuguese League table says, they are third in their league, seven points behind the leader, Sporting Lisbon.

However, the Gunners got the job done. It doesn’t always have to be simple or pretty. The record books don’t take note of that aspect.

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In addition to taking another step in a competition that this club has never won, Mikel Arteta’s men can use this victory as a catalyst. It could be the page they needed to turn before heading toward a historic season.

Only them and Manchester City are still in the fight for the Premier League and the Champions League. Before the January breakup, that scenario for the Gunners was unimaginable. But here they are.

The goals are pouring in, Arteta has a full squad at his disposal for the first time in months and confidence is flowing.

The ability to achieve wins, regardless of performance, is an aspect that the Gunners have lacked in years past. But not now.

A sense of drive and purpose can be felt at the north London club. Last night was a reminder that Arsenal are by no means perfect, but have their sights set on winning honors this season.

Martin Odegaard’s disallowed goal in the 68th minute could easily have deflated their sails and caused a distraction. Instead, they put that setback aside and rallied to overtime and beyond.

There are still many obstacles to overcome before the end of the season if they want to achieve anything close to their dreams, but there is still everything to play for, which is the most important thing to begin with.

Their second place finish in the league in the previous campaign gave the Gunners the feeling of being second best.

It will surely have whetted their appetite to have something to show for their achievements this time. Especially since the players and their boss mentioned that deficiency again and again during the preseason and the first few weeks of this season.

Whatever Arsenal must achieve in the coming weeks, tonight’s message to their rivals is clear: we are here to fight. And hard.