Arsenal are through to the Champions League semi-final. This follows a cagey draw with Sporting.
Arteta on Reaching the Semi-Final
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta spoke to TNT Sports on what making the semi-final means to the club. “It’s a massive moment,” he said. “It’s the first time in our history, in 140 years that we are on back-to-back semi-finals, so to be part of those four teams is something very special. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.
“I think the last 15/20 minutes we controlled the game really well. We set ourselves in the final third. We looked composed. We looked controlled in transitions except the last one. Overall, it’s a great night. I’m happy for all our people.”
Arteta on His Side’s Belief
Arteta also commented on how he helps his side believe they can win. “It comes down to making the last step. We are making steps that haven’t been done in this club for 140 years, the players deserve credit for what they’re doing. What I love is the ownership the players took after the defeat here against Bournemouth. They sat together, they analysed it, they said things face-to-face. They act on it. At the end you have to do it on the pitch. We can talk in the dressing room. We can talk beautiful things but we need to put those words into actions and we certainly done that tonight.”
Atletico Madrid Next
Arteta spoke about facing Atletico Madrid next. “I watched them yesterday. That stadium is special. Those are the moments we want to live together as a team right now, so enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we will start to prepare for the weekend and then we will think about that.”
Sutton’s Thoughts on Saka
Chris Sutton, a former striker, spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium. He focused on Bukayo Saka. “I don’t know how long Bukayo Saka is going to be out, but he does seem like a key player to me. He is different to anything that Arsenal has in that final third.”
Sutton added that getting Saka back would give Arsenal a far stronger chance of being more effective.
Onuoha’s Analysis
Nedum Onuoha, a former Manchester City defender, also gave his thoughts. He spoke on MOTD: Uefa Champions League.
Onuoha said Arsenal are coming up against sides with a good defensive structure. He said that at times you need a little bit of magic to open them up, but that is not always going to be a guarantee. “I think teams are doing quite well against them defensively at the moment.”
He added: “If you can hit teams in transition you can create tonnes of good opportunities – that’s not really the way Arsenal have been playing at this moment in time, but it’s not to say that they can’t do that because we have seen them do it before.”
The Broader Picture
A former player offered this view: “Well done, Arsenal. Maybe not a classic game but you are in a CL semi-final. Yes, you now have to choose between going for the Premier League and the Champions League. Many clubs would consider it a nice problem to have. Good luck on both fronts.”
The Champions League semi-final line-up is now known. Paris St-Germain will face Bayern Munich.
Bayern scored late to win a seven-goal thriller over Real Madrid. This could still turn out to be a magical season for the Gunners.