Kai Havertz struck in stoppage time as Arsenal snatched a late 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon, putting Mikel Arteta’s side in a strong position to reach the Champions League semi-finals for a second consecutive season.
The German applied a composed finish to a clever through ball from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli, adding a gloss to a performance that was, once again, more about grit than glamour.
Here’s what the managers, players, pundits and stattos made of the action…
Mikel Arteta on the win…
It’s very difficult to win away from home in the Champions League, and certainly against a team that have won 16 games in a row at home, so that tells you what we’ve done. We had moments where we were very, very dominant, and we had our chances, we lacked certain threat in and around the box – we needed to be more efficient and crisper with our last pass, and as well we needed David twice to make a save to help us to win.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Sporting coach Rui Borges on losing so late…
It’s frustrating. It’s only natural to feel a bit frustrated after the great game we played here against a top-class side. If you look at the 92 minutes, we had three or four clear-cut chances, whereas they had none apart from the disallowed goal. We just needed to be a bit sharper in front of goal. That’s football; let’s keep our heads up and believe that it’s possible.
Source: Uefa.com
Kai Havertz on making the most of a fine Martinelli assist…
I’ve said that about 80 per cent of the goal goes to him. I was there to finish it off. I but it was a top assist from him, I saw him and he just played the perfect pass and it was a good goal.
Source: Arsenal.com
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Sporting’s Maximiliano Araujo on turning things around in London…
We know it’s going to be very difficult, but we had plenty of chances today too. It’ll be even tougher [in London], but that’s football, and we’ll have to put in a great performance without making any mistakes if we’re to turn this around.
Source: Uefa.com
Gabriel Martinelli on learning about Sporting from Viktor Gyokeres…
We knew how good Sporting were. We spoke at length with Viktor [Gyökeres] during the week. He told us a lot about Sporting, that they were a very strong side, and we also watched several videos of them. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game, especially here in Lisbon. We showed great composure right from the start. Of course, it’s not easy to come here, keep a clean sheet and come away with the win, but I think we deserved the victory. I’m very happy with the win, but we know it’s only one leg. We’re heading to London with the same mindset.
Source: Uefa.com
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Uefa’s Technical Observer Group on awarding the player of the match award to David Raya…
He gave a high-level performance. He was influential at keeping a clean sheet for Arsenal, really alert and secure and made a save which became one of the moments of the game for Arsenal.
Source: Uefa.com
David Raya on his performance after being restored to the starting lineup…
I try to help the team as much as possible. Today was a good day for myself, for my team. We ended up scoring in the last minute. It was a very tough match, a game where both teams wanted to play and keep the ball so it was difficult. They made our life difficult.
Source: Uefa.com
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Kai Havertz on Raya…
He’s unbelievable – I still think people underestimate him in the football world, but for the last two years, I don’t know, maybe he’s been the best ‘keeper in the world and we’re all glad to have him here.
Source: Arsenal.com
Arteta on Raya…
He’s extraordinary, magnificent, incredible. I don’t know the adjective, the right one. And with that, it’s enough. We are so happy to have him.
Source: Post-game press conference
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Raya on Arsenal’s ambitions in the Champions League…
We believe 100% that we can win it. We go game by game and show what we can do. I think it is the first time in so many years that we play three quarter-finals in a row. So we just have to focus on the present, that’s the most important thing, but of course we have full belief. If you don’t believe then you’re never going to win it.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
Theo Walcott on Raya’s early save, tipping a shot onto the bar…
It shows the level David Raya plays at. It was incredible. I genuinely didn’t feel like he got a touch at first. It’s like everything slows down for him in goal and that’s a good place to be for a goalkeeper. He’s one of the best around right now.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
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Alan Shearer on Arsenal’s strength in depth…
We’ve spoken about Arsenal’s squad depth this season, and that’s why, because when you’re bringing on the quality they did tonight in Martinelli and Havertz, you want them to go on and have an impact on the game and they did that.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
Matthew Upson on the importance of the late goal…
It’s a massive win. I thought 0-0 would be positive, but to nick it right at the end! They had calmness but they also had that spine at the back, especially with David Raya, who was fantastic. Massive win, real positivity, a calm controlled display from the team. Top job away from home.
Source: BBC Radio 5 Live
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Arteta on Gyokeres taking a moment to say goodbye to the Sporting fans…
I didn’t know that but I’m really happy to hear that because I know how he felt in the manner that he had to leave as well. I know when a big player leaves a big club, it’s never easy. But if that has been the case, it tells a lot about the culture and the supporters here and as well what Viktor meant to them and what Viktor did for them. So I’m sure he’s very happy with that.
Source: Post-game press conference
Havertz on the importance of the win…
Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches. We wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happen. We stick together as a group, we have so much more to come this season. Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles and we’re going to go for that.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
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Arteta on bouncing back after a difficult couple of weeks…
I think we had to reveal ourselves today. I talk about identity and the other things that we are as a team and I definitely saw that tonight. It’s half-time, we’re a step closer and now we have to finish the tie at home in front of our people. If we do that, we can start to dream.
Source: Uefa.com