Football Apr 20, 2026

Arsenal's attacking issues remain a big problem despite Mikel Arteta's side reaching Champions League semi-finals again

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Arsenal's attacking issues remain a big problem despite Mikel Arteta's side reaching Champions League semi-finals again

Mikel Arteta says reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League is a "massive boost" for Arsenal despite once again struggling against Sporting on Wednesday.

The Gunners held on for a 0-0 home draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, meaning Kai Havertz's lone goal in Lisbon was enough to book them a place in the last four.

It is the first time in the club's history that they have reached consecutive semi-finals in the competition, but on Wednesday night they were far from their best, managing just one shot on target.

Asked if progressing in the Champions League would positively impact their potentially Premier League-deciding game against Man City this Sunday, live on Your Site, Arteta said: "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 dip in form has led to questions around 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 go level on points with the Gunners at the top of the league if they win their game in hand.

However, 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 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 are still clearly struggling in front of goal.

The Gunners 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."

Tags:

football news

Share this article

Related Posts

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

"Panic on the streets of London," read the Manchester City banner at full-time. With his hair down, Erling Haaland was singing Flo Rida's: "Oh, someti...

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Premier League title-race verdict: Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, players and Sky Sports pundits have their say after Man City beat Arsenal

Arsenal are still top of the Premier League - but Manchester City landed a big blow in the title race by winning the top-two showdown at the Etihad on...

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk step up for Liverpool in Merseyside derby, Aston Villa set up perfect run-in - Premier League hits and misses

Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk step up for Liverpool in Merseyside derby, Aston Villa set up perfect run-in - Premier League hits and misses

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have won the lot at Liverpool so you could detect a certain reluctance from them to overstate the significance of th...

Championship talking points: Promotion is now Ipswich's to lose with Southampton's relentless run continuing

Championship talking points: Promotion is now Ipswich's to lose with Southampton's relentless run continuing

It wasn't a pretty performance from Ipswich but showing the character to fight back after going behind twice against Middlesbrough could be the game...

Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal: Erling Haaland settles enthralling encounter as Premier League title race takes fascinating twist

Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal: Erling Haaland settles enthralling encounter as Premier League title race takes fascinating twist

Manchester City blew the Premier League title race wide open by edging an epic game 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to move within three points of long-time...

Everton 1-2 Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk's 100th-minute winner decides first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Everton 1-2 Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk's 100th-minute winner decides first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Virgil van Dijk headed in a 100th-minute winner for Liverpool as they beat Everton 2-1 in first ever Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.The Li...