Arsenal are pushing to lift the curse in the Champions League round of 16 against their latest victim

There wasn’t much “atmosphere” at the Champions League draw as the big battles were missing. However, there are worthy opponents who provide a spectacle and keep the interest of football fans unbroken.

This is one of the couples Porto – Arsenalwith the runners-up from Portugal and England respectively competing against each other against the backdrop of “Exorcism of the Curse” them and the quarterfinal phase. A phase that the Gunners have had to “experience” since 2010 with a negative series of eliminations of 7.

Arsenal’s Champions League Round of 16 eliminations:

• 2010/11: arsenal – Barcelona (overall score 3-4)
• 2011/12: Milan – arsenal (4-3)
• 2012/13: arsenal – Bayern (3:3, the Germans advanced on away goals)
• 2013/14: arsenal – Bayern (1-3)
• 2014/15: arsenal – Monaco (3:3, the French passed on away goals)
• 2015/16: arsenal – Barcelona (1-5)
• 2016/17: Bavaria – arsenal (10-2)

Therefore, the double matches between Porto and Arsenal are the ideal opportunity that the Gunners have been looking for for 13 years. Six years after their return to the top club competition, they are called upon to banish the curse that is preventing them from progressing beyond the round of 16 of the Champions League.

In particular, the London club has participated in the quarter-final stage since the 2009/10 season, with Porto being the “victim” at that time. With an aggregate score of 6-2, Arsene Wenger’s side managed to overcome the Dragons’ hurdle before being eliminated 6-3 by Barcelona.

In a year in which Arsenal appear to be at a level above last year in terms of island signings, it remains to be seen whether they can also chart a European course that will “exorcise the demons of the past”.