How Mikel Arteta treasured this win. All the tension that had built up in the Arsenal manager after devastating defeats in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup was suddenly released in the moment that Kai Havertz calmly slotted home from fellow substitute Gabriel Martinelli’s cross in the first minute of injury time and Arteta set off on a celebration charge down the touchline, fists pumping.
He had been a frustrated presence until then as Arsenal put in another anxious performance against a spirited Sporting side who could have established a precious lead ahead of next week’s second leg in north London if they had taken their chances. But having scored in the last round against his former club Bayer Leverkusen, once again it was Havertz who edged Arsenal closer to the last four for only the fourth time in their history.
Having been rested for the losses against Manchester City and Southampton in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, David Raya made a string of fine saves that underlined his importance to the side. Perhaps this will be the confidence boost that the Premier League leaders needed as they prepare to return to domestic action against Bournemouth on Saturday with a rejuvenated City breathing down their necks.
After failing to reach the last eight for 13 years since the last time they managed the feat of three successive quarter-final appearances between 2008 and 2010, Arsenal have shown that they belong at this level. Yet the absence of four key players in Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié – not to mention their fragile confidence after the defeats by Manchester City and Southampton – made this even more of a banana skin.
That was underlined after only six minutes when Ousmane Diomande split Arsenal’s defence with a superb pass. It needed a brilliant fingertip save from Raya to divert Maxi Araújo’s piledriver on to the crossbar. It would not be the last time Raya came to their rescue.
Viktor Gyökeres was given a warm reception by the Sporting fans during the warm-up but the Sweden striker did not touch the ball against his former club until the 11th minute as Arsenal struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages. As ever, their best chance of scoring appeared to be from a set piece and Martin Ødegaard should have at least hit the target when the ball fell invitingly into his path after Noni Madueke’s corner struck the crossbar.
At least there was a semblance of control in midfield with Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi’s partnership restored. Ødegaard was guilty of giving the ball away in advanced positions on more than one occasion as Arsenal continued to lack creativity from open play.
The Sporting midfielder, Hidemasa Morita, could not believe his bad luck after being cautioned for fouling Leandro Trossard despite replays showing that he clearly got the ball. Top scorer Luis Suárez was waiting to pounce on a poor back pass from Zubimendi just before half-time that forced Raya to hack the ball away. Ødegaard finally registered Arsenal’s first shot on target in the 43rd minute, although Rui Silva was easily able to gather his weak effort that summed up the visitors’ meek first half.
Ødegaard could not be faulted for his effort as he attempted to rouse Arsenal at the start of the second half. His free-kick from a wide angle was tipped over the bar by Silva before Gabriel Magalhães was inches away from making contact from the resulting corner. Suárez almost caught Arsenal on the break when the ball was cleared but Raya’s header inside the centre circle averted the danger. Sporting’s supporters were given more encouragement when Francisco Trincão dragged his shot wide after a slick move down the left.
After the cagey first half, suddenly the game seemed to open up more. Zubimendi thought he had given Arsenal the lead with a first-time finish from outside the area, only for the video assistant referee to confirm that Gyökeres had been offside in the buildup. The visitors continued to press as Sporting retreated into their own half and the introduction of Havertz for Ødegaard suggested that Arteta was going for the win.
The teenage sensation Max Dowman was also thrown on with Martinelli as Arsenal chased the elusive goal that seemed like it would never come, with the latter testing Silva almost immediately. The tricky winger Geny Catamo was denied twice in the space of two minutes by Raya as he pushed away the Mozambique international’s header at his near post before producing a double save to deny him and then Suárez. It proved to be crucial as Martinelli set up Havertz to ease Arsenal and Arteta’s nerves just when they needed it most.
