Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal's progression to the Champions League semifinals is a significant morale booster, despite the team's struggles against Sporting on Wednesday. The Gunners secured a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarterfinal tie, with Kai Havertz's lone goal in Lisbon sufficient to book their spot in the last four. This marks the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semifinals in the competition.
However, on Wednesday night, they were far from their best, managing only one shot on target. Arteta stated that advancing in the Champions League would have a positive impact on their potentially Premier League-deciding game against Manchester City this Sunday, saying, '100 percent, it's a massive boost.
To be in the semifinals of the Champions League is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it because we deserve it.' Despite Arsenal's recent dip in form, Arteta insists he is not concerned about the team's mental strength, emphasizing the need to appreciate their current position and enjoy the journey. The team's inability to create scoring opportunities remains a concern, with an xG of 0.64 across the entire game on Wednesday.
Arteta acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, 'We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that's for sure, and we recognize that. But there's value in what these players have done.'