Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals
Arsenal Football Newsletter
For the first time in the club's history, Arsenal have qualified for consecutive Champions League semi-finals.
A goalless draw with Sporting on home soil was all that was required for a 1-0 aggregate win and to secure a last-four date with Atletico Madrid.
However, whether it be the manner of another uninspiring performance, the context of a poor run of form, or the trip to Manchester City to come this weekend, it all felt fairly low-key.
Mikel Arteta bounced around his technical as ever, but Sporting never really laid siege to the Arsenal goal and there were no real standout performances.
Arsenal's season is not yet back on track after their recent stumbles, but the temperature has at least been lowered a degree or two.
Job done but questions remain
Arsenal did what they had to and nothing more than that.
With the visit to Man City lurking on the horizon, Arsenal could have done with a confidence-boosting win, one that instilled some belief into the attacking players and lifted the mood around the club.
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Qualification for a Champions League semi-final is not to be taken for granted, but this was not a performance to strike fear into City.
David Raya looked shaky at times. Declan Rice appeared well of full fitness. The Arsenal attackers are a still a long way from form, both individually and collectively, and the team managed just one shot on target.
This was really a nothing match. Nothing to learn, nothing to get excited by. That suited Arsenal with the situation as it was on aggregate, and the same result would be a superb one at the Etihad.
The same performance, though, will not be enough.
Eze shows promise at No10
It turned into a familiar performance for Arsenal, particularly in attack, but there were better signs early on.
Eberechi Eze was running at the Sporting defence within two minutes. Shortly after that, he spun superbly on the byline and cut it back for Madueke.
The return of Eze to the starting lineup was a big lift for Arsenal and his influence was clear. When possession started to become stale and cautious, he got on the ball and fired passes through the lines and into the box.
He must also have been very frustrated. On several occasions he flicked a pass into Gyokeres' path and waited for it to come back, but the striker was not good enough technically to find him.
Eze faded in the second half but there were enough signs to make clear he should be starting at No10, certainly while Martin Odegaard is out.
Kai Havertz in midfield has not worked and if he is to play, it must be up front. This Arsenal side need Eze playing with freedom in midfield.
Arteta faces right-wing dilemma
Noni Madueke was forced off in the second half after colliding with Pedro Goncalves.
The Arsenal winger was down for a lengthy period before the referee initially signalled for the physios to come on.
When he was treated, it became clear Madueke could not continue and Max Dowman was rushed into action.
Madueke watched the remainder of the match from the dugout and was out on the pitch at full-time, but he was limping uncomfortably.
If he does not recover to face City on Sunday, Arteta has a big decision to make.
Bukayo Saka is yet to recover from an Achilles injury and it is uncertain whether he will be available.
Dowman would be the obvious candidate, and has looked dangerous in his cameos off the bench, but starting a 16-year-old at the Etihad would be a huge call.
A huge call but potentially the right one. Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli could fill in on the right but neither are in form.
Arteta might have to throw his fearless teenager at the situation.