‘Don’t go there’ – Rio Ferdinand shoots down Martin Keown verdict after Arsenal win vs Porto

Current Arsenal news as commentators Martin Keown and Rio Ferdinand discuss the Gunners’ Champions League triumph over Porto.

Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown have discussed Arsenal’s chances of winning the Champions League (Image: Getty Images)

According to Rio Ferdinand, it’s “too early” to predict whether Arsenal will win the Champions League this year.

After a nail-biting victory over Porto at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta’s team advanced to the quarterfinals. Leandro Trossard’s goal tied the game before the Gunners won on penalties, erasing a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in Portugal.

With their victory, Arsenal advances to the round of eight for the first time since 2010. It also preserves their dreams of becoming the first winners of Europe’s top competition.

The Gunners legend Martin Keown has also hinted that Arteta’s team might win the championship, saying that they “feel like potential winners” with the June 1 final at Wembley Stadium. But Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, advised his fellow pundit “not to go there.”

It indicates momentum. It implies that Arsenal will now face Manchester City with confidence, Keown said to TNT Sports.

“You know what they accomplished last year—six trophies—it’s the ultimate test. However, they now arrive there exuding confidence and excellent form.

“I believe that if they had lost tonight and advanced to the City game, it would have been a little depressing. This makes the game go smoothly, the players learn from it, they have a lot more confidence now, and tonight is a big one where they can feel like winners.”

Then, Ferdinand cut him off, saying, “A little early, man, don’t go there, man.” Martin, let’s avoid going there. It’s too soon.

Arsenal will find out who their opponents are in the quarterfinals when the draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday. The probable semi-final brackets will be determined as well as the path to the championship match.