“Of course [Arsenal] have weak points,” Costa said. “Of course, I’m not going to tell [you] what we’re going to do. We’re going to do our best job to win that game.
“If they are [one of] the favourites (to win the competition), they need to show us they are the favourites.”
Looking at the situation and Costa’s comments objectively, it’s fair to say they aren’t too out of line.
Though Arsenal had a very strong group stage, winning the group with a game to spare, the knockout stages are a very different proposition.
The Gunners even had their slip-ups in the group, notably losing away to Lens. Another result like that in Porto may not be so easy to salvage, with the pressure on.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been on an excellent run lately, winning all five of their Premier League fixtures since the winter break.
But it wasn’t too long ago the manager was reflecting on three straight defeats to West Ham United, Fulham, and Liverpool. The team clearly have some weaknesses.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Declan Rice of Arsenal looks dejected after the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2024 in London, England. Arsenal wear an all-white kit at home, for the first time in the club's history, in support of the 'No More Red' campaign against knife crime and youth violence. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal looks dejected after the team’s defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
If Arsenal really want to be one of the favourites to win the Champions League, they need to use comments like Costa’s as motivation to push on and show they deserve to be in that conversation.
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