Mikel Arteta’s side looked set to take a goalless draw back to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg next month but Porto pounced on a loose pass from Gabriel Martinelli, which allowed Galeno to curl a fine effort to beat Raya from the edge of Arsenal’s penalty area.
Raya has faced some criticism over his positioning for the goal, but the Spaniard is adamant that there was little he could do to stop Galeno’s strike.
‘Of course, it’s a tough one to take to concede in the last minute but it’s half time, we’ve still got to play at home and we have to go there and win the game,’ Raya told TNT Sports.
‘When asked about Porto’s goal, Raya said: ‘It was a few things before that, I think we should’ve managed a little bit more in that stage of the game, we were 0-0 away from home, we should’ve kept the calmness a little bit more.
‘But it’s a good finish, it’s a good finish from outside the box, that’s what happens in football.’
FC Porto's Brazilian midfielder Wenderson Galeno celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg football match between FC Porto and Arsenal
Galeno’s brilliant long-range effort sealed Porto’s late win against Arsenal (AFP via Getty)
Despite the defeat, Raya was buoyed by Arsenal’s defensive display against Porto.
‘I think we played a really good game, especially defensively, they didn’t create much, they had a few counter-attacks but we defended very well.
‘It’s like I said, we should’ve managed a little bit more the last minutes of the game.
‘But it’s half time, we’ve got a game at the Emirates with our fans, and we’re going to go there, try to win the game and go through.
‘We are confident, we know what we’re capable of, we know we have a better level to play, especially at home with our fans, we’re going to meet them there and try to win the game.’
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