Incredible story behind Porto creating £300,000 trophy in honor of Arsenal
PORTO commissioned a trophy called the “Arsenal Cup” after beating the Gunners in 1948.
Long before the Londoners played for their own Emirates Cup during pre-season, Arsenal had a trophy built in their honor by the Portuguese giants.
2
After winning the First Division in 1948, the Gunners traveled to Portugal under boss Tom Whittaker.
They defeated Benfica 4-0, before traveling north to Porto.
According to Arsenal club media20,000 fans gathered to watch the exhibition match.
The Gunners lost 3-0 in the first half, thanks to a goal from Antonio Araujo and a double from Correia Dias.
Whittaker's side launched a fight back in the second half but could not avoid a 3-2 defeat.
Excited by their victory, Porto commissioned a trophy worth 70,000 escudos, approximately £300,000 in today's money, to mark the occasion.
They asked all of Portugal's major jewelers to do their part, with fans donating to help make the project a reality.
Ourivesaria Alianca design was built by master craftsmen Marinho Brito and Albano Franca.
HOW TO GET FREE BETTS ON FOOTBALL
The impressive 250 kg specimen is 2.8 meters high and contains 130 kg of pure silver.
It is also composed of gold, enamel, crystal, fine wood, marble and velvet and to this day stands proudly in Porto's club museum.
On their official website, the Portuguese giants said: “The 3-2 win over Arsenal, known at the time as the best team in the world, was a testament to the potential of the blue and whites.”
The trophy shows three women holding a cup, while another trio of figures drink “the wine of victory”.
Prior to this season, Arsenal and Porto met six times in competitive matches, all in the Champions League.
The Gunners had won three, drawn one and lost two of these clashes.
They will compete again in the round of 16 of this season's competition, having last met at the same stage in 2010.
ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with the latest transfer news from the Emirates