Arsenal progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals after a goalless draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their quarter-final tie. Having secured a 1–0 victory in the first leg away from home in Portugal, Mikel Arteta’s side advanced with a 1–0 aggregate scoreline. The result also marked the first time in the club’s history that Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals in consecutive seasons.
Although the second leg did not produce goals, Arteta expressed no concern regarding the outcome. Instead, he highlighted the importance of recognising and appreciating the team’s position at this stage of the season.
In the Premier League, Arsenal currently sit top of the table with 70 points from 32 matches. They hold a six-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, who have played one match fewer. In the Champions League, Arsenal are among the four semi-finalists and remain the only side yet to suffer defeat in the competition this season.
Despite this, their recent form across all competitions has been inconsistent, with three defeats in their last five matches and only one victory. The performance in the second leg against Sporting CP also drew criticism, although Arsenal maintained progression to the last four.
UEFA Champions League Semi-finalists
| Club | Country |
|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | Germany |
| Paris Saint-Germain | France |
| Atlético Madrid | Spain |
| Arsenal | England |
Arsenal’s progress has come against a backdrop of injury setbacks. Key players Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber were unavailable for the match. Despite this, Declan Rice featured after a decision taken despite limited preparation, a move noted by the manager.
Following the match, Arteta acknowledged that his team are “not perfect” but emphasised the value of their collective effort and resilience. He stated that the players’ commitment had been significant, particularly given the circumstances and absences within the squad. He also underlined that reaching this stage of the competition required considerable work and determination.
Arteta further noted that this achievement is unprecedented in the club’s 140-year history, underscoring the difficulty of the task accomplished by the squad.
In response to external criticism, Arteta commented that public perception might suggest Arsenal are struggling in a relegation battle rather than competing at the highest level in Europe. His remarks were made in reference to the intensity of scrutiny following recent performances.
Arsenal secured their place in the semi-finals after finishing top of their group with eight wins from eight matches in the league phase. They went on to defeat Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, following a 2–0 victory in the second leg after a drawn first leg. In the quarter-finals, they remained unbeaten across both legs against Sporting CP.
Arteta concluded by urging supporters to recognise and appreciate the club’s current position, stating that the team is already embracing the experience of competing at this stage of European football.