While other powerhouses falter, Arteta’s Arsenal remains resilient.
LONDON — The flame continues to flicker, but how intensely? Mikel Arteta expressed his desire to witness “no fear, pure fire” from Arsenal against Sporting CP on Wednesday, yet in reality, there were only faint glimmers.
A lackluster 0-0 draw, in which they managed just one shot on target, was sufficient for the Gunners to reach their second consecutive Champions League semifinal, a milestone they achieved for the first time in their history.
Recently, there have been numerous milestones, highlighting the excellent work Arteta has done in re-establishing Arsenal among the elite: most goals in a season, most wins in a season, most points in a calendar year.
However, while these accomplishments are concrete indicators of significant progress, none have culminated in the ultimate reward: trophies.
– Champions League recap: DΓaz, Olise secure victory for Bayern, Arsenal advance
– After Champions League loss, can Madrid’s project be salvaged?
– Liverpool’s star power falls short against PSG in Champions League
This performance is unlikely to quell the doubts that persist around this team as they approach the final weeks of the 2025-26 season.
The hosts faced a scare in each half when Geny Catamo struck the post just before half-time and substitute JoΓ£o SimΓ΅es shot wide in the closing moments, but in reality, Sporting never posed a serious threat to score.
Arsenal deserves recognition for their management of the game in the second half, demonstrating a resilience that was not reflected in the scoreline.
Yet, similar to Saturday’s Premier League loss to AFC Bournemouth, signs of fatigue were evident, which Arteta did not attempt to conceal afterward, despite praising his players for securing the necessary result in their 54th match of the season.
“There is a reason why we are the only English team in the competition, because this league and this schedule take a toll on you, and itβs very challenging to achieve what we’ve accomplished,” Arteta stated. “When I see them track back when we lose the ball, the habits they display are just remarkable. Thatβs why I have faith in what these players are doing.”
Arteta disclosed that Declan Rice had exceeded all expectations by playing after missing training on Tuesday, showcasing a spirit that led to his selection as captain following a players’ vote.
“Declan yesterday was exhausted, he had no chance of playing today, he wasn’t feeling well at all today, [but] he played 94 minutes at the level he is capable of,” Arteta remarked. “Piero [Hincapie] the same, every single player is giving their all to contribute and perform at their best, and I truly appreciate that from the team.”
“They made the decision [to appoint Rice as captain] because Declan has earned that status, the role, and the way he has taken responsibility in challenging moments. He is a great leader, a top player for us, and I value that the players take that responsibility.”
Rice concluded the match with the most touches (76), the highest number of completed passes (60), and the best pass completion rate (96.8%) of any Arsenal player.
However, there was a vulnerability that skeptics might argue will be exploited by teams with greater attacking prowess than the second-best team in Portugal.
Arsenal fans do not need reminding that their next challenge is against Manchester City, who, with a week to prepare, will be fully ready to deliver the blow they need.
Moreover, there is a perception that the Champions League is shifting in a direction away from Arsenal’s pragmatic style; this match coincided with Bayern Munich’s 4-3 victory over Real Madrid and a day after Paris Saint-Germain secured a commanding 4-0 aggregate win over Liverpool.
Even Atletico Madrid, known for their pragmatism under Diego Simeone, engaged in a high-energy, risk-taking quarterfinal against Barcelona. Arsenal can certainly succeed with this approach, but to do so, they must perform at their most intense and defiant level. Currently, there is a sense that this is proving to be a significant challenge.
Arteta suggested that there may be an overreaction to the last four results, which include a Carabao Cup Final loss to Manchester City, an FA Cup exit at Southampton, and the defeat to Bournemouth.
“I wish we could film the Arsenal documentary this season, capturing the last 48 hours and everything that has been said [about us],” he commented. “But we will be watching the series in July, and then we must ask ourselves, where does Arsenal fit in the narrative?”
“I think all of us would say they are in the bottom three. So what are we discussing, folks? Please, appreciate where we are as a club. If someone chooses not to, thatβs their decision.”
Noni Madueke had to leave the field due to a knee issue, potentially adding to an injury list that includes Bukayo Saka, JurriΓ«n Timber, Martin Γdegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori, while Viktor GyΓΆkeres had a largely unremarkable evening, which bolsters Kai Havertz’s case to start against City.
Nevertheless, Arsenal remains resilient, still competing, and now just nine matches away from a remarkable season both domestically and in Europe.
The flame is still alive.
