Arsenal Advance, but Questions Remain Over Their Attack

Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals again, but the performance against Sporting was short on spark and long on caution. Mikel Arteta asked for intensity, yet his team relied more on discipline and control than attacking flair to get the job done.

A first-leg goal from Kai Havertz proved enough to carry Arsenal through after a goalless night at the Emirates. It was not pretty, but it was effective, and that is all the Gunners needed to book a place in the last four for the second season running.

Arteta praised his players for their effort and commitment, saying they had achieved something no Arsenal side had ever done in the club’s 140-year history. Still, the wider concern is obvious: the team are not playing their best football when the pressure is highest.

Results have dipped in recent weeks, with only one win from their last five matches and just three goals scored in that spell. For a side chasing both European glory and a long-awaited league title, that lack of cutting edge is becoming harder to ignore.

Injury problems have also shaped the picture. Key players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were unavailable, while Declan Rice played despite feeling unwell. On top of that, Noni Madueke limped off with a knee issue, adding to the sense that Arsenal are being stretched physically.

Even so, there is an argument that progress matters more than style at this stage of the season. Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said Arsenal may not have dazzled, but they did enough to reach the next round and that alone deserves credit. Their defensive record in the competition has been excellent, with eight clean sheets in 12 matches.

The real test now comes in the league. Arsenal head into a crucial clash with Manchester City knowing the result could shape the title race. They remain six points clear, but City have played one game fewer, so the margin for error is thin.

There are also real doubts about whether Arsenal can keep leaning on their defence. Their lack of chances against Sporting was reflected in the numbers, with only one shot on target and one of the lowest expected-goals totals of the competition this season. If the attack does not improve, the team may struggle to turn strong structure into major trophies.

For now, though, Arsenal have achieved something significant. They are in the semi-finals again, and that is no small thing. If they keep advancing, few fans will care how tidy or untidy the route was.