Arsenal could rely on a one-goal aggregate lead to book a place in the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico Madrid after being held to a goalless draw against Sporting at the Emirates.
The Gunners were hoping to bounce back from their weekend defeat at Bournemouth, with Mikel Arteta saying he and his Arsenal team were full of “fire” and were “fearless” ahead of the game.
But after managing just one shot on target against a nervous Emirates side, Arsenal go into Sunday’s game against Manchester City as likely favorites to win the Premier League title. sky sportsDidn’t provide much confidence.
Arteta will see the draw as a good result heading into the Etihad as Arsenal advance to back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.
Having lost three of their last four matches, Emirates’ lack of confidence led to a series of reckless starts throughout the match. Sporting looked the more likely of the two teams to come closest when Geny Catamo hit the bar just before half-time.
After the break, Sporting smelled blood again but could not muster anything to really challenge David Raya, the embodiment of Arsenal courage. On several occasions the Portuguese side dismissed opportunities gifted to them by the Spanish stopper.
The result will not be of much concern to Arteta ahead of the weekend, but the prognosis for Noni Madueke, who collapsed holding his knee in a counterattack from Pedro Goncalves, will be anxiously awaited. Max Dowman, who replaced the Arsenal winger, could be an option if Madueke was out of form over the weekend and adds to his growing injury list.
