Mikel Arteta views Arsenal's progression to the Champions League semi-finals as a significant morale boost, despite their struggles against Sporting on Wednesday. The Gunners secured a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, with Kai Havertz's lone goal in Lisbon proving sufficient to book 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, on Wednesday night, they fell short of their best, managing only one shot on target. When asked if advancing in the Champions League would positively impact their potentially Premier League-deciding game against Manchester City this Sunday, Arteta stated, '100 per cent, it's an enormous lift. 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 dip in form has led to questions about the team's ability to hold their nerve as they enter the run-in.
A Super Sunday defeat to City would open the door for Pep Guardiola's side to level with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win their game in hand. Nevertheless, Arteta insists he is not concerned by the mental strength of his squad. '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 take 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 in front of goal. The Gunners had a 0.64 xG across the whole game on Wednesday.
That lingering inability to create could still help City close the gap in the race for the Premier League. '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 removed before the hour mark on a difficult night against his former club. The striker has scored two in his last four but had just 14 touches across the game. Asked by a Portuguese journalist why he substituted Gyokeres early, Arteta said, '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.'