Arsenal Dealt Huge Blow with Declan Rice at Risk After Defeat to Porto in UCL First Leg

Declan Rice faces a crucial challenge for Arsenal, with a yellow card jeopardizing his presence in the Champions League clash.

Unfortunate Loss at Estadio Do Dragao

In a disappointing turn of events, Arsenal faced a setback in the first leg of their Champions League encounter against Porto, succumbing to a defeat that adds pressure to their campaign. The clash at the Estadio Do Dragao saw the Gunners seemingly heading for a draw until Galeno's dramatic stoppage-time goal, securing a late win for Porto.

Despite moments of resilience, Arsenal failed to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, leaving Mikel Arteta's squad with the challenge of overturning the deficit when they return to the Emirates in three weeks.

Declan Rice's Precarious Situation

Adding to Arsenal's concerns is the precarious situation of Declan Rice, the talented England midfielder who earned a yellow card merely two minutes into Wednesday night's last-16 clash. Rice's caution, a result of a mistimed challenge on Galeno, marks his second in the competition, putting him at risk of suspension.

Mikel Arteta now faces the delicate task of navigating the second leg without the influential Rice, as one more yellow card for the 25-year-old would lead to a suspension, further complicating Arsenal's bid for progression into the quarter-finals.

In the aftermath of this defeat, Arteta and his team must regroup, strategize, and rectify their shortcomings to secure a comeback at the Emirates and keep their Champions League aspirations alive.