Declan Rice makes 'frustrating' Arsenal admission after Porto Champions League heartbreak

Declan Rice says Arsenal's late defeat to FC Porto was a 'kick in the teeth' — but the England midfielder insists it's only half-time in the tie.

A moment of inspiration from Galeno in the 94th minute handed the Portuguese giants a first-leg advantage over the Premier League outfit. The Gunners will be looking to overturn the deficit at the Emirates Stadium in three weeks when they face Sérgio Conceição's side on March 12.

Mikel Arteta led Arsenal to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season, after battling in the Europa League since replacing Unai Emery in the North London hotseat. However, the Gunners' record during the Champions League knockouts has been difficult, failing to advance beyond the Round of 16 in each of their last seven attempts.

Arsenal enjoyed the lion's share of possession during their first-leg but failed to lay a glove on Porto. In the fourth minute of four added at the end of the second-half, Galeno curled beyond David Raya.

«So frustrating,» Rice said, speaking the club's media after the defeat. «We worked really hard, prepared really well. Obviously it wasn't meant to be in terms of the way we created the chances tonight.

»After the start of 2024 we had, there's a lot to learn, a lot to take from tonight."

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However, despite this setback, the 25-year-old remained defiant, adding: «I think that's a real positive, obviously to concede late is a real kick in the teeth but positive is it's half-time in two legs.

»We've got the home leg now, which we're going to be fully up for with our fans, and