Arteta Backs Gunners’ Mentality After Edgy Sporting Win
Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s character after a nervy 0-0 draw with Sporting sealed a 1-0 aggregate win and a Champions League semi-final vs Atletico.
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Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal's tense progress to the Champions League semi-finals showed they have the character to handle the growing pressure of their bid to end a six-year trophy drought.
Arteta's side survived a nervy quarter-final second leg against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday as they held on for a goalless draw that sealed a 1-0 aggregate win.
The Gunners were well below their best at the Emirates Stadium, but Sporting couldn't capitalise as Geny Catamo went closest for the visitors with a first-half volley that hit the post.
It was the latest in a growing list of laboured displays from Arsenal, who have lost three of their last five games in all competitions and won just once in that period.
But Arteta is adamant that Arsenal's ability to grind out another vital result, despite an unconvincing performance, showed their spirit and desire remain strong amid criticism of their perceived mental weakness.
“We are not perfect, we recognise that, but there is value in what the players have done,” said Arteta, whose club face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.
“My message was gratitude for the effort they put in. There was a lot of work put in. We had to do it in a very special way, missing a lot of important players.
“We had many things that are important in getting a result. It is about how you compete and when you are trying to win titles that is what you need.”
With Arsenal missing the injured Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber, Arteta praised Declan Rice's decision to play against Sporting despite being unable to train on Tuesday.
Rice's tenacious effort embodied the attitude that Arteta demands from his team.
Gunners grind past Sporting to keep trophy hopes alive
“100 percent, especially in moments of difficulty or when we gave the ball away. Declan yesterday was shattered. He had no chance to play.
“He was not feeling good at all. But he played 94 minutes today. He is a great leader and a top player for us.
“I wish we were doing an Arsenal documentary this season, then you could see everything that has happened in the last 48 hours. You would think Arsenal are in the bottom two with the way people are talking.”
Arsenal are through to the Champions League semi-finals in successive seasons for the first time in their history.
The Gunners, who beat Atletico 4-0 in the league phase in October, will travel to Madrid for the first leg on April 29, with the return leg at the Emirates on May 5.
Beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the last four 12 months ago, the north Londoners are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2006.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League, while they are also chasing a first Premier League title in 22 years.
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They sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League, but second-placed Manchester City have a game in hand and host the Gunners in a pivotal showdown on Sunday.
Arteta is confident Arsenal's progress in the Champions League will provide a significant lift heading into the crunch clash with City, who have hit form while the Gunners are stumbling.
“It is a massive boost. To be in the Champions League semi-finals is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it because we deserve it,“ he said.
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