Declan Rice believes Arsenal lacked ‘that bit of savviness’ to see out the Porto game, but pledged ‘we’re not going to let this get us down’ despite conceding 94th-minute goal
Declan Rice questioned the cleverness of his Arsenal side due to a lack of game management as they conceded a late goal to hand Porto victory with the match so close to the end.
The first leg of the match was goalless and it looked like it would remain that way before Galeno struck a superb winner from just outside the penalty area in stoppage time.
It gave the Portuguese side a slim lead going into the second leg in London on March 12, but Rice felt Arsenal should have done more to ensure they got a draw, especially with the clock running so late in the game.
Rice told TNT Sports: “I think when it’s 0-0 and you look up at the clock, 93 minutes have passed. If you’re not going to win the game, don’t lose it.
“Maybe at the end we will have that bit of wisdom left over us to stay and get a draw in a tough stadium against a tough opponent.”
Declan Rice believes Arsenal lacked ‘that bit of wisdom’ to finish the match against Porto
Porto striker Galeno scored a stoppage-time stunner to take victory on Wednesday
Arsenal didn’t have a single goal attempt during the match at the Estadio do Dragao, but it looked like they might even get away until Galeno’s late heroics.
When Rice relented so late, he said, “There were a few giveaways on the edge of our box. They caught us on the counter and he stuck one in the top corner, which is very disappointing.
‘We are very positive as a group, we have started 2024 so well that we will not let this hold us back. We will discuss this game.’
Arsenal were back in action in Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Newcastle United, with Rice admitting they would have to bounce back from the disappointment in Portugal to face the Magpies.
Asked what to take from the defeat, he said: ‘You don’t know what to expect, you can never overlook anyone because it’s the Champions League.
“It’s a real kick in the teeth because we conceded late, but we know what we have to do.
After Arsenal’s positive start to 2024, Rice said: ‘We won’t let this get us down’
‘We are not going to hang our heads, it is about coming back, recovering, competing again in the Premier League and then we will certainly be ready for the Champions League again.’
After the match against Newcastle, Arsenal have league matches against Sheffield United and Brentford before the second leg in North London on March 12.
