Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's progression to the Champions League semifinals is a significant morale booster, despite their unimpressive display against Sporting on Wednesday. The Gunners secured a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie, thanks to Kai Havertz's decisive goal in Lisbon. This achievement marks the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semifinals in the competition.
However, their performance on Wednesday was subpar, with only one shot on target. Arteta acknowledged that advancing in the Champions League would have a positive impact on their upcoming Premier League game against Manchester City, stating, '100 per cent, it's a massive boost.' Arsenal's recent slump has raised concerns about their ability to handle pressure as they approach the season's climax. Nevertheless, Arteta remains confident in his team's mental strength.
He emphasized the importance of enjoying their current position, saying, 'I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary now... You can think of the last 48 hours. Everything that has been said. We are watching the series in July, and then we have to ask ourselves a question.
Where are Arsenal placed? All of us would say, 'They are in the bottom three.' Arteta also noted that the Premier League schedule is demanding, and his team is not perfect, but they have shown value in their performances. Despite reaching the semifinals, Arsenal continues to struggle with scoring, having managed only 0.64 xG throughout the game on Wednesday. Arteta recognized the need for improvement, particularly in creating scoring opportunities and maintaining control.
The substitution of Viktor Gyokeres, who had a difficult night against his former club, was made to introduce a different type of striker who could create more link-ups and scoring chances.