Arteta celebrates 'enormous lift' as Arsenal advances to Champions League semis, despite lingering issues

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League as a 'huge lift' for the team, despite struggling to find their rhythm against Sporting on Wednesday. The Gunners secured a 0-0 draw at home in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, with Kai Havertz's solitary goal in Lisbon proving enough to book their spot in the last four. This marks the first time in the club's history that they have achieved consecutive semi-final appearances in the competition. However, their performance on Wednesday was underwhelming, with the team managing only one shot on target. When asked if progressing in the Champions League would have a positive impact on their upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City, Arteta replied, '100 per cent, it's a massive boost. To be in the semi-finals of the Champions League is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it because we deserve it.' Arsenal's recent slump has raised questions about the team's mental toughness as they enter the final stretch of the season. A loss to City on Sunday would allow Pep Guardiola's side to level with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win their game in hand. Arteta, however, remains confident in his squad's mental strength. 'I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary now,' he said. '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.' What are we talking about? Enjoy where we are as a club. If someone doesn't want to, I think it's so weird.' Arteta added, 'There is a reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you. We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that's for sure and we recognise that. But there's value in what these players have done.' Despite reaching a second consecutive Champions League semi-final, Arsenal continues to struggle with scoring goals. The Gunners had a 0.64 xG across the entire game on Wednesday, and their inability to create scoring opportunities could still allow City to close the gap in the Premier League title race. 'It was always going to be [difficult],' Arteta told TNT Sports after the second leg against Sporting. 'We had moments in the first half where we probably should have scored. There are moments with the ball where we have to improve a lot, to have more control, dominance, and finish many more actions.' Viktor Gyokeres was substituted before the hour mark on a challenging night against his former club, having scored two goals in his last four appearances but managing only 14 touches throughout the game. When asked by a Portuguese journalist why he substituted Gyokeres early, Arteta explained, 'With Viktor [Gyokeres], I thought the game required something else. Another type of number nine that would link up and create more. There was no space to run and we fell for that.'