Mikel Arteta has hailed Arsenal's progression to the Champions League semi-finals as a significant confidence booster, despite the team's struggles against Sporting on Wednesday. The Gunners secured a 0-0 draw at home, with Kai Havertz's earlier goal in Lisbon proving decisive in booking their place in the last four.
This marks the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semi-finals in the competition. However, their performance on Wednesday was underwhelming, with only one shot on target. Arteta believes that advancing in the Champions League will have a positive impact on their upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City, saying it's '100 per cent, a massive boost.' The team's recent dip in form has raised concerns about their mental strength, but Arteta remains confident. He emphasized the importance of enjoying their current position and recognizing the team's achievements.
Despite reaching the semi-finals, Arsenal's struggles in front of goal persist, with a 0.64 xG across the entire game on Wednesday. Arteta acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in terms of control, dominance, and finishing. The substitution of Viktor Gyokeres was also addressed, with Arteta explaining that the game required a different type of striker to create more link-ups and scoring opportunities.