SPORTING LISBON 0-1 ARSENAL: Premier League leaders Arsenal stole a late victory against the Portuguese giants on Tuesday evening to see them put one foot in the Champions League last four
Kai Havertz celebrates his goal vs Sporting(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have put one foot in the Champions League semi finals after Kai Havertz’s late goal against Sporting Lisbon.
After back-to-back defeats, Mikel Arteta’s side once again struggled to find their fluency, having come up against a stubborn Sporting side.
Martin Zubimendi thought he had given the Gunners the lead midway through the second period but had his goal ruled out for offside.
Havertz was the man to step forward in stoppage time to score what could be a vital win for the Gunners.
Here are all of the talking points from the José Alvalade Stadium:
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Raya rescues Arsenal
Predictably, the home side started the game at a break-neck speed and could have been ahead but for some spectacular acrobatics from Arsenal stopper David Raya.
Maximiliano Araújo latched onto a brilliant pass from Diomande for Sporting and was faced with the Arsenal keeper one-on-one. He went for sheer power but Raya just about managed to get a fingertip to the ball and tip it onto the crossbar.
Raya also produced an excellent stop to parry away Geny Catamo’s late header in what was an inspired performance.
Gyokeres return falls flat
Don’t get it wrong: Viktor Gyokeres is a hero in Lisbon. His record of 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese giants proves that.
While some were left disgruntled with the manner of his exit in the summer, they did not make that displeasure known, with any boos falling flat.
Unfortunately for Gyokeres, his return was equally as underwhelming. He really struggled to get involved throughout the evening and was even at fault for Arsenal’s opener getting chalked off.
Controversy denies Arsenal
Potentially the most frustrating element of Gyokeres’ performance was his part in Arsenal’s ruled out goal. The ball was played into the Swedish forward and he set it back.
Martin Zubimendi then curled home a divine right-footed strike. But the referee immediately intervened and cancelled the goal, which was the right decision.
Gunners overcome frustration
Placed amid the backdrop of Arsenal’s current stuttering form, there were reasons to be worried for Mikel Arteta. Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final and have been eliminated from the FA Cup by a Championship side,
Arsenal of course have one target this season – the Premier League – but there’s no getting away from the fact that it has been a damaging week.
But they just about managed to find a way beyond Sporting. It’s a cliche but it is the kind of result that could see them get their season back on track.
Havertz steals it
While a win would have been welcome, Sporting have not been slouches this season. The Portuguese giants have not lost on home soil in the Champions League this season and beat reigning champions PSG.
That was until Havertz stepped forward in the closing stages. He was expertly picked out by Gabriel Martinelli, took a touch and poked a clinical finish home. It represented his fourth goal of the season.
It was arguably undeserved based on the Gunners’ performance in Lisbon but not a single player in the Arsenal dressing room will care.
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