Mikel Arteta said it was a “huge boost” for Arsenal to reach the Champions League semi-finals despite suffering again against Sporting on Wednesday.
The Gunners held out to a 0-0 draw at home in the second leg of the quarter-final, meaning Kai Havertz’s only goal in Lisbon was enough to seal a place in the last four.
They are the first team in club history to reach back-to-back semi-finals in this competition, but they were far from their best on Wednesday night, with just one shot on target.
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Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth summed up the best reaction to Arsenal’s 0-0 home draw with Sporting as they booked their place in the semi-finals.
“100 per cent, it’s a big boost,” Arteta said when asked live on Sky Sports whether winning the Champions League would have a positive impact on this Sunday’s game against Man City, which could decide the Premier League.
“It’s very tough to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League. We deserve it so we’re going to enjoy it.”
Arsenal’s recent dip in form has called into question the team’s ability to keep their nerve going into the run-in. A loss to City on Super Sunday would open the way for Pep Guardiola’s side to level on points with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win the game.
However, Arteta insists he is not worried about his team’s mental strength.
“I wish I was doing an Arsenal documentary right now,” he said.
“Think about the last 48 hours. Everything that has been said. We’re watching the series in July, but then you have to ask yourself the question: Where are Arsenal positioned? We’ll all say: ‘They’re in the bottom three.’
“What are we talking about? Enjoy where we are as a club. I think it’s very strange if there are people who don’t want that.”
Arteta added: “There’s a reason why we’re the only English team in this competition, because this league and this schedule is so tiring.”
“We’re not perfect. We definitely need to improve and we know that. But what these players have done is worth it.”
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Arsenal face attacking challenges ahead of Man City trip
Despite reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the second consecutive year, Arsenal clearly still struggle in front of goal.
The Gunners had 0.64 xG throughout Wednesday’s game. The continued lack of creativity could still help City close the gap in the Premier League race.
“It’s always going to be (difficult),” Arteta told TNT Sport after the second leg against Sporting.
“There were moments in the first half where we probably should have scored. There are moments when we have the ball that we have to improve more to control more, be more dominant and finish more actions.”
Victor Goqueres had a tough night against his old club and was sent off before the end of the game. The striker has scored two goals in his last four games, but has taken just 14 touches in all matches.
When asked by a Portuguese journalist why he replaced Gokeres so early, Arteta said:
“With Victor (Gökeres), I thought we needed something different in this game. A different type of No. 9 that links and creates more. There was no space to run, so we fell into it.”
