ARSENAL 0-0 SPORTING: The Gunners booked their place in the Champions League semi final, but endured another nervy night as they were held at the Emirates
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice reacts after the final whistle vs Sporting
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice reacts after the final whistle vs Sporting
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There was little fire but plenty of fear. And yet somehow Arsenal managed to drag themselves over the line and into the Champions League semi final.
On the face of it, the result was enough and Arsenal are into their first back-to-back semi finals which should reignite their faltering season.
But it rarely felt that comfortable. Instead, it was a nervy stalemate decided by Kai Havertz’s injury time winner in the first leg. Arsenal barely created a decent chance to score at home.
Mikel Arteta had demanded before the game that Arsenal bring “pure fire” and showed “no fear.” But those words fell all too flat.
The huge pre-match tifo banner read: “History In Our Sights” with a clear message about reaching consecutive European semi finals.
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But there was not much sign of a rabble-rousing, morale-boosting performance to lift the spirits in a week which will surely define Arsenal’s whole season.
Arsenal wobbled against Bournemouth last Saturday and are in serious danger of blowing their lead in the title race as they face main rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
So you could understand some nerves and tension against Sporting Lisbon but, at the business end of the season, you need belief and confidence.
Instead, Arsenal look flat, fatigued and vulnerable. Sadly whenever April kicks in, Arsenal begin to fade and this was hardly a performance to leave the rest of Europe running scared.
Arsenal celebrate after reaching the Champions League semi final
Arsenal celebrate after reaching the Champions League semi final
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Arsenal should take some pride from an eighth clean sheet in 12 Champions League games this season. But if they look nervous against Sporting Lisbon, just imagine facing Paris Saint Germain or Bayern Munich if they do reach the final.
Atletico Madrid now lie in wait for Arsenal in the semi final and you feel that Arteta against Diego Simeone is hardly going to produce a classic or festival of football.
Maybe that might suit Arsenal in a war of attrition because they are not playing with any flair and are proving even less entertainment. In fact, they produce their own moments of drama with misplaced passes and David Raya’s kamikaze balls out from the back.
Blimey, you might have thought that Raya would have learned his lesson after getting away with it against Bournemouth but this time two sloppy passes went astray.
It just about summed up Arsenal’s nerves and when you have got William Saliba, normally the coolest customer on the pitch, passing straight to the opposition then you know you have problems.
Mikel Arteta watched his side reach another Champions League semi final
Mikel Arteta watched his side reach another Champions League semi final
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They might have been punished by a better side but Geny Catamo hit the post in the first half and Maxi Araujo fired wide in the second.
Arsenal looked better with Eberechi Eze in their line-up but Viktor Gyokeres was so bad. Everything bounced off him. He looked sluggish. And it is hard to understand why anyone paid £64m for him in the summer.
That is the story of Arsenal’s season. Too many players losing their way in April. They looked tired, flat and fatigued. This should have been a night to lift the mood. And yet it was more relief than celebration at the final whistle.
Noni Madueke went off injured after another wasteful, frustrating night. Martin Zubimendi looked a pale shadow of the player who was so good in the first half of the season. There are too many others like him.
Arsenal went through thanks to another clean sheet. But at the final whistle, few were celebrating. Instead, they were just looking very relieved.
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