Possessed Martin Odegaard leads Arsenal to overcome refereeing hilarity and end 14-year wait

I have only just recovered from the nerves and torture of Arsenal’s glorious penalty shootout win against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners have put their fans through the wringer several times during Mikel Arteta’s tenure but there is little more clutch than meeting on spot kicks.

The entire night did not go the way Arteta had planned and the war of attrition many expected arrived but perhaps with an even greater challenge than many thought. Porto came to repeat their success in their home stadium and despite Leandro Trossard breaking the deadlock, the strategy remained the same with Sergio Conceicao’s side comparably more dangerous on the counter in London.

Yet when the crunch moment did arrive, every single player involved stepped up and delivered, including David Raya of course. On a night when few will care how it was achieved, football.london looks at the successes and frustrations of the evening.

There is only one place to start and that is with the man who has ultimately delivered his side into the quarter-finals of the competition, David Raya. A massive save and perhaps some fortune as a shot struck the post before going wide – I reckon he angled his body on purpose so it would…

Raya also made a brilliant save from Evanilson in the first half and was called into action in the second period despite Porto being offside in the build-up to a dangerous counter. His distribution remained calm and even his long passing was often effective and targeted.

After the focus on Aaron Ramsdale from the weekend, it was a moment which perhaps solidified Raya in nearly every fan's mind as the future of the position for the Gunners. A great night for him and one which bodes well should a similar situation arise in the