'Someone called Lionel Messi' - Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dismisses claim Gunners suffered from 'mental block' in Champions League last 16 during his time as a player

Arsenal are set to take on Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the Gunners back in the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition for the first time in seven years. Arteta was asked if his team had suffered a mental block at this stage of the competition when he was a player and hit back by pointing out the calibre of players they came up against.

He told reporters: "Someone called Messi was another obstacle as well and Bayern Munich. This competition is what it is. It comes down to details and you need your players at your best."

The Gunners boss also spoke about being favourites to progress: "That’s great. We have earned the right to be here. We haven’t been here for seven years and haven’t got to the next stage for 14. That’s the challenge. We are excited to go for it with full belief."

Arsenal haven't reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League since 2010 and will be hoping to put that right against Porto. The Gunners head into the game in good form after thrashing Burnley and West Ham and also overcoming Premier League leaders Liverpool in their last three matches. The Gunners also made it to the knockout stages by topping a group containing PSV, Lens and Sevilla.

Arsenal are in Porto on Wednesday and will then head straight back home to maintain their Premier League title challenge with a clash against Newcastle on Saturday.