Arsenal draw blank to edge out Sporting

Quarter-final 2nd leg

Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP (Agg. 1-0)

Arsenal secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League following a 0-0 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s side headed into Wednesday’s second leg guarding a one-goal advantage after Kai Havertz’s strike in Lisbon a week ago.

And, although Sporting’s Geny Catamo struck David Raya’s post in the first half, Havertz’s stoppage-time winner from the opening match proved enough for an unconvincing Arsenal to secure a last-four date with Atletico Madrid.

The statistics were stacked heavily in Arsenal’s favour prior to Wednesday’s match. Sporting had not won any of their last 10 games in England and were also without a victory in their 10 away knockout matches on European’s grandest stage – a streak which stretched back to 1970.

But Arsenal made hard work of the contest and while there was palpable relief inside the Emirates at the final-whistle, it was a performance which will have done little to strike fear into Manchester City ahead of Sunday’s pivotal top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League.

However, the Gunners were still able to celebrate reaching their second consecutive Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history.

They will head to Spain for the opening leg on 29 April before the return fixture in London the following week.

Arteta demanded a fiery response to Arsenal’s desperate defeat against Bournemouth but, despite an encouraging opening, Sporting soon extinguished the hosts’ flames.

William Saliba’s misplaced pass presented Francisco Trincao with a shot at David Raya’s goal – which he sent wide – while in terms of chances, Arsenal were offering very little at the other end.

Arsenal needed a goal to settle any growing nerves but it was the visitors who were presented another encouraging chance with Pedro Goncalves blazing over when he should have tested Raya. Raya’s short pass fell to Goncalves but the Spaniard’s mistake went unpunished.

Then came another major let-off for the Gunners as Catamo’s volley flicked off Raya’s far post. Sporting were growing in confidence with every passing minute and referee Francois Letexier’s half-time whistle will have provided some much-needed comfort for Arteta and his men.

The Arsenal players were tellingly sent out for the second half long before their opponents. However, Maxi Araujo’s curling effort soon had Raya scrambling, but his effort sailed wide.

Eberechi Eze tried his luck from range to no avail before Gabriel Martinelli struck a half-volley over and Noni Madueke rattled the side-netting. However, Arsenal were still lacking any genuine creative spark.

The largest cheer of the night was reserved for Year 11 student Max Dowman’s introduction shortly after the hour mark when Madueke limped off with a knee injury that will place him as a major doubt for the trip to City.

Yet moments later, Sporting wanted a penalty when Araujo tumbled following a perceived pushy by Cristhian Mosquera in the area. Letexier waved their appeals away.

The Arsenal fans wanted to see more from their side and on the touchline an increasingly agitated Arteta talked himself into the referee’s notebook.

Dowman was beginning to have an influence on the game and it was the 16-year-old’s corner which Leandro Trossard headed on to the post.

By the end, it was largely comfortable for Arsenal and standing their way of a first final since 2006 will be Atletico Madrid, who they thumped 4-0 in the group stage at Emirates in October.

But Arteta’s men will now turn their attention to their crunch match against City, with their league aspirations firmly on the line.

Today’s other quarter-final result:

• Bayern Munich 4-3 Real Madrid (Agg. 6-4)