Mikel Arteta praised his side’s durability after Arsenal reached back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history and revealed that Declan Rice had come off his sickbed to play his part.
Arsenal rarely looked like adding to their advantage from last week’s first leg in Portugal despite controlling possession, with Leandro Trossard heading against a post from a Max Dowman corner late on after coming off the bench.
Sporting also hit a post in the first half and almost forced the tie into extra time when the substitute João Simões fired into the side netting with virtually the last kick of the match.
Arteta let out a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle before joining his players on a lap of honour as they reached the last four for only the fourth time in Arsenal’s history. They were defeated by the eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain last season and will now face Atlético Madrid, who lost 4-0 on their last visit to the Emirates in October during the league phase.
“That is the reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule takes the hell out of you, and it’s very difficult to do what we’ve done,” said Arteta. “We are not perfect, we need to improve things, that’s for sure, we recognise that, but there’s value in what these players have done, because they deserve it. Declan yesterday, he was shattered. He had no chance to play today, he wasn’t feeling good at all today, he played 94 minutes at the level that he’s done. Piero [Hincapié] the same, every single player is putting everything through the line to contribute, to give his best, and I really value that from the team.”
This was Arsenal’s eighth clean sheet in 12 Champions League games this season as they maintained their record as the only unbeaten team left in this year’s competition. Rice was captain in the absence of the injured Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, and he dismissed the criticism that has been aimed at the Premier League leaders for their recent performances, culminating in Saturday’s costly defeat by Bournemouth.
“Like being at any other club, there’s noise with everything,” he said. “This is Arsenal football club, there’s noise with every game. If you don’t play well, if you don’t play good, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving. Bring on the last few weeks. It’s a rollercoaster. Nobody’s going to hand you anything in this game. Let’s keep going and what will be will be. Let’s keep going strong.”
Asked whether Arsenal would be going to the Etihad Stadium to face title rivals Manchester City on Sunday looking for a victory, he added: “We want to win every game in the Premier League. Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It’s why we play the game. It’s about] how much you want it, so I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go.”
