Arsenal and Sporting Club played out a goalless draw in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final this evening, with the result enough for Arsenal to progress.
Sporting Clube felt unfortunate to have lost the first leg and began this match with a clear intent to win at the Emirates, as Arsenal struggled to assert control in the early stages.
The Portuguese side appeared well organised and full of confidence, putting together neat passages of play to test the Arsenal defence, while their pressing also caused discomfort for David Raya.
Sporting challenge Arsenal early
Sporting forced Arsenal to remain focused defensively for much of the first half, as they consistently looked to find space through the midfield with intelligent movement and quick passing.
Their attacking approach ensured Arsenal could not settle into a rhythm, and the Gunners were required to maintain a disciplined defensive shape throughout the opening period.
Arsenal worked hard to create opportunities of their own, but at half-time the score remained level, with Sporting having given them several issues to consider during the interval.
Arsenal hold firm to progress
When the players returned for the second half, supporters would have expected a stronger attacking display from Arsenal, yet Sporting continued to limit their effectiveness going forward.
The frustration on the touchline became evident, with Mikel Arteta receiving a booking as tensions increased during the contest.
There was further concern for Arsenal when Noni Madueke suffered an injury, and Max Dowman struggled to make an impact after coming on as his replacement.
Sporting pushed in search of a goal to level the aggregate score, but Arsenal remained resolute in defence and ultimately did enough to secure progression to the next round with a disciplined performance.
It’ll be tough but 3 games away from taking away the main stick rivals beat us with. 1st up the team we beat 4-0 thus season.
will have zero bearings
?
the 4-0 win has zero bearings on the semi final
it’s a different level of pressure
back in the league phase you play without any consequence
you lose , what’s the worse case ?
it’s not the same at the semi final stage
@Dan
Exactly…👍🏾
Zero bearings? Too brutal and demeaning. Even Simeone can’t be that simplistic. You can’t say that if that was the other way round. You continually underestimate the achievements of this Arsenal team and Arteta.
It’s my opinion
I think we will go through but I don’t think the game earlier in the season will have any impact as it’s a different level of pressure.
You continue to over hyped this Arsenal team
We learnt that last year with PSG.
For the first time in history, Arsenal have qualified for the semi-final of the Champions league in two consecutive seasons. If it’s easy we should have been there more regularly, especially with all the great teams we have had.
Short and simple. The miserable competitive behavior continued yesterday. Fortunately, Sporting was on the other side. Miserable behavior without a mind from the defensive line, many actions of opponents are similar.How easily can they score goals? What can you say about their offensive? Any comment is unnecessary. It’s not enough that they can’t score a goal, they also have maximum individuality, phases that must be done Pass and execution, they pull and blackmail by throwing it in the trash, doing harm to the team. The phase with Madueke crossing the entire area without giving the ball to Martinelli Ensi It is the definition of bad selfishness at the expense of the whole. And I have seen this several times recently. Arteta considers this normal, I don’t see him doing anything? Essentially in conclusion Qualification was decided in the first match with a lot of luck. Maybe we were a click luckier, not better than Sporting. With Atletico the way we play, I don’t think theoretically we can beat them. We’re thrown out, but even if this happens, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are not played by us. Mainly because we show that we can’t show anything better. That shit Unfortunately, as I said, there is no way to wake up, the game with City seems unlikely that we will be able to get anything, but the main thing, and I will be completely fair, is that we are similar. Anyone can beat us, so I won’t hide behind yesterday’s qualification. I was more worried than excited.
Certainly, the earlier match will not determine the outcome of this match. However, It is not true that the earlier match has no bearings. It gives confidence that you know that on a good day Arsenal can beat Atletico Madrid.
It is also untrue that it was no consequence. Winning at that time was important for momentum and ensure Arsenal were well placed to make the next phase.
I feel people keep making references in bad faith on this forum. If Athletico had beaten Arsenal so decisively the narrative would have been very different.
I honestly wouldn’t
I already know on our day we can beat anyone
I’m saying I think we will get through so how’s that bad faith ?
I simply think playing a team in the league stage is not comparable to the league stage
look at PSG in last two years . Compare how they play in league phase to knockout rounds
as much as you think people make bad references on this forum , I think some think because it’s called Arsenal they have to have toxic positivity no matter what is said
you lose in the league stage you have other opportunities to get points
it’s not the same jeporady as a semi final/ final
soz
I simply think playing a team in the league stage is not comparable to the knockout stage
Whilst not true of everybody, anxiety creeps into reactions for upcoming matches on the strength of what occurred in the one just completed
Over the length of this competition there are factors which will affect comments, such as improvement or loss of form. Arsenal were flying earlier, but for various reasons look like they are playing through the pain barrier now. In my view, it is fair to state that beating an earlier opponent easily is a confidence boost, but I wouldn’t say the score has any relevance in the next round as many months have passed since the first and conditions change
I agree Sue
by his logic we would have beat the Cherries on Saturday because we beat them at the Vitality
Like you said it’s a different stage of the season
if we were going to the Ethiad in September we be more confident.
It’s a different level of pressure at this stage of the season isn’t it .
I said to my brother last night I just hope I’m not being set up to have my heart broken lol
👍
The confidence boost by itself is an indicator that the previous match could have an impact on the subsequent games. It doesn’t mean that the score will be the same or that you will definitely beat them.
By my logic I would have expected Arsenal to be fairly confident going into the game against the Cherries. It doesn’t mean that the outcome was preordained.
Dan’s analogy is false as it misinterprets my comment as suggesting that the only factor worth considering is the previous result. This deliberate misinterpretation of people’s comments is regularly used as an argumentative device on this forum.
It is true that it’s a different stage of the season and so other factors come into play. The previous match will, however, likely be relevant to how both teams approach the games.
Personally, I think on this occasion you are splitting hairs. You manfully take an enormous amount of stick from various sources for sticking to your views but on this occasion I didn’t detect that Dan was deliberately misinterpreting your opinion in this situation. His opinion of the previous poster’s comments was the prior result bears a huge influence on the next fixture, bearing in mind recent results and performances that have been less than satisfactory.
SueP’
I’m afraid you’re dealing with David here. No matter the circumstance David steadfastly refuses to acknowledge any type of negativity.
And that includes when it’s merited. Positivity is good, but as the comedian Micky Flanagan once said of the Americans, their positivity drains you.
And I think along the same lines regarding most if not all David’s posts.
no mate
I simply think how you play in the league stage requires a different mindset to the knockout stages .You could lose to A Madrid earlier in the season and have the fall back option of more games to play and even the play offs ( which is why I hate the format)
Use England as an example, In the group stage of a World Cup they play Croatia with the knowledge that if lose …..we have two more chances to finish at least in the top 3 ( hate that format)
that can’t be the same as the pressure of a semi final
if you think I have misinterpreted your words just focus on mine
it will have zero bearings , different pressure.
I agree Dan, at this stage the consequences are much bigger, which can make even easy stuff mentally complicated. If you have done it before you have a definitely a mentally advantage.
I don’t expect anything, but I have a hope about success. From my point of view our players and staff deserves a trophy for being the most consistent team in the England for several years. Yesterday we reached the CL semi-finals for the second time in two years, which we never have managed before. Even with all the great teams we have had in the past.
I believe that it’s an advantage to have played in the CL final several times in recent years, with the same manager. Much the same with Man.City, they have been in this race many times and have a manager with lots of titles in his belt. When you have done it before you don’t focus on the consequences, and can play with confidence..
The is an interesting word, especially when using them after each other, sorry about that. Norwegian is my mother tongue 😁
how will Norway do at the World Cup?
Depends on players available, hopefully quarter-finals. They have potential to do even better, but lacking experience with the World Cup.
We will never forget when we defeated Brazil 2-1 in Marseille in 1998 🫶 Some is saying, the best national team not winning the final ever.
Brazilian Team:
Claudio Taffarel, Cesar Sampaio, Rivaldo, Aldair, Junior Baiano, Cafu, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Leonardo, Bebeto, Dunga 🫶
we will cover world cup and do a prediction game
Happy we have qualified, but with the sooo much talk about the ‘fires’ alot has to be done.
I thought Zubimendi did very well tonight as did Hincapie and Havertz was an improvement on Goykeres .Not an inspiring performance but we are the only Premier League side to make the semi.
Nice saying Grandad
Arsenal has never managed two consecutive CL semi-finals, even with all the great teams we have had in the past.
Thank heavens extra time wasn’t needed. Movement off the ball slowing to a snail’s pace and it seems the boys can barely get through the 90 now. Rice looked knackered by the 20 min mark. Regardless, we are through and can still win the PL. COYG!
BB
Listening to Keown and Cole afterwards I got the impression that players often play through injuries so when you think of who was missing tonight it becomes an issue for the walking wounded on the pitch. Merino would have been ideal and he’s almost the forgotten man on the sidelines because he’s been out for so long.
I agree SueP, at this stage of the season Merino would be incredibly effective. I believe several of the players are pushing through the pain. These guys make crazy money but they definitely work hard for it. Good to make the semi finals today but unfortunate that City115 players were watching it from the comfort of their homes.
Phew thank god that was over. The best way I can describe the match was that we bored them to a draw, very boring from us and we played like we did against Bournemouth only difference was that Sporting were not bold or daring enough to press the arsenal defense with great intensity like Bournemouth did, had they done that we could have been taken to extra time and even beaten. Someone needs to talk to Raya, mistakes happen once or twice but when it exceeds 2 times it becomes deliberate in his case say he is overconfident bordering on cockiness he keeps getting away with it that’s why he hasn’t adjusted .
It’s great we have hincapie back his run ins into the midfield helped stabilise it, and zubimendi moved forward more today. If we play like this against city113 they’ll smash us , our levels have dropped immensely it like this wasn’t the same team or players that started the season.
Hope we get over the line, COYG.
What exactly does Gyokeres do when in the starting-11
Does win any air balls, doesn’t contribute in gameplay, doesn’t create anything for teammates, cannot pass to nearest man, he’s not dangerous scorer that can score from almost anywhere
He just wants scoring chances placed on a plate for him in the perimeters in front of the goal-post
He’s a huge downgrade to everything we have
It’s actually a shame that Jesus (who we rightfully want an upgrade for) sits for such a poor footballer
I expected more from him (VG) over both legs, especially facing his former team, but he was really disappointing
tbf i expected him to struggle, Sporting know him inside out and were always going to focus on him (exactly how Havertz was left completely free to score 1st leg.) We’ve missed Saka last few games, he was carrying an injury before the LC final, should be available off the bench Sunday hopefully.
Even his passing/shooting was poor though. I hope so, Angus, we could really do with him right now 🙏
How do you see Sunday going?
Angus, Saka is struggling with an achilles injury apparently 😒
Babasola
If you watched Havertz goal in Lisbon, ypu would have understood what Gyokeres does
Unfortunately, we always have a scapegoat for everything
I’ll take similar haramball and a draw against City on Sunday, I’m not entirely positive ahead of this weekend’s game
Solid performance to keep them at arm’s length, whilst showing some attacking intent. Surely, the goals will come. Let’s turn our attention to the trip to Etihad on Sunday. COYG!
Whatz there to be happy about getting off the line, we’re gunner be dumped out any way by a better team like man shity did us unless we start getting rhythm now.
Seriously am not even sure we can win an epl match but I pray I’ll be wrong for it will be seriously shameful we don’t win d epleague
Another record set, as we reach the semi final of the CL for the second season in a row, remain unbeaten in the competition, without Odegaard, Timber, Merino and Saka.
The only British club left in the competition and the crowd were brilliant if nervous!!
In this match, the result was the be all and end all that mattered.
I didn’t care how many sideways or back passes we made, as long as we controlled the game and the final whistle and result meant everything to the manager, players and supporters.
The prize was the semi final of the CL and we have grabbed the prize!!
Now it’s on to Sunday and city115 and The Arsenal will have to play a different game against better opponents and the result is just as important.
My only player concern is Raya’s performance in the last two games and finger’s crossed that Saka, Odegaard and Timber are fit for the city115 match.
We should all be proud tonight. After all, reaching the semi-finals of the CL is a great achievement. We are the only team from the PL left. Many teams would like to be in our situation now. I think we played a pretty decent first half without getting any big chances. I liked the more aggressiveness the players showed, but in the second half the Portuguese came up with a few dangerous chances, which we are lucky they didn’t score on.
Now we are all looking forward to Sunday, when the all-important match is played. Let’s hope that the players are able to show their best when it really counts. Advancing in the CL should boost players’ confidence.
Well done. Its just a grind, every game now. We didn’t play badly second half, far from it but we are showing less and less, going forward. People saying we didn’t need to score, yes we do. In the end we didn’t need to but everyone knows that it is a massive handicap, playing the way we are. To win trophies, you have to score. Its been this way too long and we do not look any different, each game. There is no dynamism in our play. But we are through and that was what was needed.
I have to say, I thought Hindcapie had a barnstormer, he was very positive and pushed on. One of the few.
We are LWWWWDDWWLDDWW in the league this calendar year left to right. Last win is Villa 30th dec to account for City game in hand, they played 1st jan same gw as our villa game and drew to Sunderland.
City are WDDWWWWDWLDDD.
We have 2 lost to City’s 1, 4 drawn to City’s 6, 8 won to city’s 6. If City beat Palace in their game in hand they will be 1 point behind us in the league since Christmas (3 overall, we were 2 ahead at Christmas.) Wouldn’t know it to listen to people however.
Prior to the Bournemouth game we were 7 points more than City since christmas (4 if they beat palace) and were on 4 wins in a row in the league whilst City had drawn their last 2. Think back to the narratives before that game and maybe shake your heads a little.
Even now last 3 games in the league City dropped 4 points and we dropped 3 yet we are the ones doing bad.
City dropped their points home to Forest (16) and away West Ham (17), we dropped our points to home Bournemouth (11.) Where is the objectivity?
Angus
Nice. I bet Anti Arteta fans will come for you 😂😂😂😂
The issue is they will beat us on Sunday
Add that to it – and they’re already number 1 – without the remaining 5 games
If things don’t change right now, even in the remaining 5 :
We won’t win Newcastle
It might be a draw or loss against Fulham
It might be a draw away against rejuvenated WestHam
Only Burnley at home is what this our current form can beat
That is so defeatist
Babasola
You are not even an Arsenal fan.
Our league form is LWW
Man City League form is WDD
Arsenal last three games
Draw 0-0 vs Sporting Lisbon
Lose 2-1 vs Bournemouth
Win 1-0 vs Sporting Lisbon
Man City last three games
Win 3-0 vs Chelsea
Win 4-0 vs Liverpool
Win 2-0 vs Arsenal
Playing the 2nd leg at home matters. 3 of the 4 utilised that advantage excepting Liverpool. So it applies for the SF also whereby Arsenal play Atletico at home in the 2nd leg. No Spanish team at the SF stage is startling.
Athletico are Spanish?
very Spanish based in the capital no less.
Did you watch their game on Tuesday? Their manager is a lunatic.
Moon Girl, but an extremely (justifiably?) highly paid lunatic. I like him!!!
not true though is it ?
A shout out to sporting, they were physically very strong, with good technical skills. No wonder their record is so great this season. Media should have given them more respect.
Some of their players wouldn’t look out of place in our first 11, especially those across the backline of defence.
Feel sorry for them that they drew us tbh, would have got more respect in any other side of the draw and would have had a better chance.
Am happy we won and progressed. However, Arteta should please bench White and Gyokeres against city. He should also avoid defensive approach. If arsenal are to get even a draw from the match, the team should be bold and attack for 90 mins. By so doing, their defense will not join the attack. He should talk to his players to avoid switching off. They should be at alert because city will always punish you with smallest of opportunity. Arteta should also be bold against City. He seem to be afraid playing Pep or some of these big clubs. The EPL is there for us to lose. Finally, Arteta should manage his injured players well. Let him not rush anyone. Promising academy players should be giving opportunities.
The team should avoid undereating any team especially, AthletiCo Madrid. That we beat them at the group stage is not a guarantee that we will beat them now. This stage is a different ball game.They should remember PSG last season. I believe if Arteta gets his acts well, Arsenal will lift a trophy.
Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal Champions league semi final 👊 revenge for that Europa league semi final ? Need to get players back soon!
You were right Kev!!
Well it was closer than I thought Ken but still got the job done. Seeing a lot of rival fans laughing at us! I know we’re not playing well but come on.. how is they’re champions league campaign going? Lol
All this performance and result has done going into they man city game is made me more worried, I wonder what fire Arteta was talking about.
Hopefully the one you’ll see Sunday!!
It’s looking like we might just hand over the EPL to Man City on Sunday after they beat us.
I doubt we will even get a draw at the Etihad.
We can as well give on the EPL and focus on the UCL.
Atletico over 2 legs is winnable.
PSG/Bayern in the final anything can happen and we end up winning the UCL.
The league is gone
Man City can win with a 9 points gap
Newcastle, Fulham, Westham Away, Crystal Palace Away
This our current form can’t win those matches
I agree with you
I want us to win the league! Getting tired of finishing 2nd!
A CL final would be a bonus, but we need players back otherwise we’ll have no chance!
Great that we are through but watching the other teams im not sure how much it matters
Best comment I’ve seen so far:
“The bad news…..I chose the wrong game to watch.
The good news……my paint is dry.”
🤣
Really want us to win the league but given how we are playing that can only happen if City lose to other teams which looks unlikely. Praying that a miracle happens on Sunday and rest of our games this season.
I didn’t see any attacking play today until trossard,.havert and Jesus (surprisingly) came on. We need Saka, odeggard and timber back. It just feels like their is no drive in this team. How do we score a goal when our starting attackers can’t even beat their players.
please make correction on your champions league semi final dates. Arsenal’s game at Atletico is on Wednesday 29th April not on Tuesday.
Who was your post aimed at Ambachew ?
There will be no change with Arteta using same formation. The 433 he is persisting with is not working. His sturbborness of sticking with a formation that is not working is shocking. I also cant get the fact that he insists with players who are clearly not good enough or out of form yet other players are not given a chance. Saka has carried this team for long it was inevitable his loss of form and injuries would affect results so much. I don’t think the return of Odegaard will help much as he has been poor last since last season. We really need a player like Partey who could turn and pass forward from the midfield. Its unfortunate the time he was in the team the opposition where much stronger than this season. Watching Zubimendi and Rice there are no magic moments or passing that can eliminate players and initiate attacks.
Arteta needs to spice his tactics and play. Our team is so slow and rigid in the way they play. The PSG attackers alternates positions and are so fast and fluid it just difficult to contain them.
The moment Arteta bought Madueke I just knew we were in for a long season.
For now we support the team to win the EPL and UCL otherwise it will be the beginning of key players accepting offers from other clubs and us failing to attract good players.
Well Arsenal certainly lit the Emirates on fire last night didn’t they. 15 attempts on goal and only 1 on target. Now I know that the result was the only thing that mattered, but it is concerning that we still be bereft of any kind of creative football.
My big concern going into the semi-finals is, that out of the 4 teams left, we’re the most out of form. And I struggle to see from now until the Semi’s us improving that much if at all. We may well get through, but boy this team is a hard watch at the moment.
I have been struggling with insomnia Derek but these last few weeks, its improved. I fall asleep watching Arsenal 🤣🤣🤣 Joke!!!!
Reggie,
Sorry I took a long time to respond, I must have dozed off.
Was you watching last night highlights 🤣
Reggie,
Highlights!, you mean there were highlights. I must have looked away for a minute. 🤣