Home Sports THE NOTEBOOK: Leandro Trossard joins exclusive group after another Emirates Champions League strike, Gabriel Jesus continues gradual return from injury…and Gunners set to reward stars with new deals

THE NOTEBOOK: Leandro Trossard joins exclusive group after another Emirates Champions League strike, Gabriel Jesus continues gradual return from injury…and Gunners set to reward stars with new deals

by Alexander
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Arsenal advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years after their victory over Porto.

Arenal advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals after a penalty shootout victory over Porto at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

The Gunners came into the tie needing to overcome a one-goal deficit from the first leg and got their goal in the first half thanks to Leandro Trossard.

It was a nervous night in north London as the home team looked for a decisive second goal, but the Portuguese side gave as good as they could.

In the end, it all came down to penalties and David Raya was the match winner as Mikel Arteta’s side advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.

Mail Sport’s SAMI MOKBEL took a look at some of the things you may have missed.

Arsenal advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years after their victory over Porto.

Arsenal advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years after their victory over Porto.

David Raya proved to be the match winner for the home team with two saves in the penalty shootout.

David Raya proved to be the match winner for the home team with two saves in the penalty shootout.

David Raya proved to be the match winner for the home team with two saves in the penalty shootout.

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Edu prepares to reward Gunners stars

Arsenal’s contractual renewal situation, which sporting director Edu placed at the top of his list of priorities, is moving towards a successful culmination.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard have all signed long-term extensions with the Gunners over the last 13 months.

And now, Mail Sport understands, defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu will be confirmed as the latest players to commit their futures, with deals set to be announced in the coming days. Talks with the duo have been underway for months, but deals are now complete and the club is expected to make official announcements soon.

Ben White will receive a new contract, joining the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard in committing his future to the club.

Ben White will receive a new contract, joining the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard in committing his future to the club.

Ben White will receive a new contract, joining the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Martin Odegaard in committing his future to the club.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards shaped the art of CBS Sports' Champions League coverage at the Emirates.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards shaped the art of CBS Sports' Champions League coverage at the Emirates.

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards shaped the art of CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage at the Emirates.

All-star team of experts in the Emirates

Positioned on the touchline were Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards as part of CBS Sports’ coverage of this match.

Just a few meters away were Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown, representing TNT Sport. In the press box were Theo Walcott and Matt Upson, co-commentators for the BBC. A team of five players, that’s it. But who starts?

Jesus continues his slow reintegration

Gabriel Jesús failed to be part of the starting eleven for the eighth consecutive game.

Mail Sport reported on February 27 that despite recovering from his latest knee injury, Jesus, finally introduced in the 83rd minute, would require management for the rest of the season amid ongoing problems with the joint.

His absence against Porto could well have been tactical, it is difficult to change a team that has won eight of the previous nine. But leaving out their renowned starting striker, the club’s top scorer in the Champions League this season, for arguably their most important game of the season, in the absence of the injured Gabriel Martinelli, raised some eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Martinelli missed the game due to the deep cut suffered in the victory against Sheffield United last Monday. He is expected to be fit to return for the game against Manchester City immediately after the international break.

Smart gunners for Porto’s tricks

In the immediate moments after the first leg defeat in Portugal, midfielder Declan Rice was among the loudest in the away dressing room as Arsenal fell into Porto’s traps. Arsenal clearly learned their lesson.

One of the usually restrained Martin Odegaard’s first acts was to complain to referee Clement Turpin about Porto’s tactics, while his colleagues were clearly more determined to alert the referee to the opposition’s time-wasting and plays. Leandro Trossard escorted Turpin off the field while he was protesting with the Frenchman at the end of the first half.

Arsenal's players seemed to have learned their lesson from the first leg and alerted referee Clement Turpin to the visiting team's more underhanded tactics.

Arsenal's players seemed to have learned their lesson from the first leg and alerted referee Clement Turpin to the visiting team's more underhanded tactics.

Arsenal’s players seemed to have learned their lesson from the first leg and alerted referee Clement Turpin to the visiting team’s more underhanded tactics.

Leandro Trossard became the third Arsenal player to score in his first three Champions League home games.

Leandro Trossard became the third Arsenal player to score in his first three Champions League home games.

Leandro Trossard became the third Arsenal player to score in his first three Champions League home games.

Trossard joins the exciting trio

Leandro Trossard is only the third Arsenal player to score in his first three Champions League home games for the club after Bukayo Saka and Alexis Sánchez.

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