Arsenal edged past Sporting to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the second successive season, after a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium secured a 1-0 aggregate victory.
The well-organised Sporting posed a threat at times, especially in the first half and almost went ahead on the night just before halftime when Geny Catamo’s volley clipped the post.
Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard also struck the woodwork in the tense latter stages of the game in which Sporting ran out of ideas.
The home side defended brilliantly as Sporting could not prevent Arsenal from keeping an eighth clean sheet in 12 Champions League games this season, setting up a semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid.
“The last 15 to 20 minutes we controlled the game really well and controlled the transitions,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, the first manager to lead the Gunners to back-to-back semi-finals in Europe’s elite club competition.
“It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years. Now we will have two magical nights, one in Madrid and one here.”
Arsenal bowed out in the semi-finals last season to eventual winners Paris St Germain and they will have to improve against a dangerous Atletico side if they are to reach the final for only the second time, having lost to Barcelona in 2006.
As huge as Wednesday’s match was, another mammoth clash looms over the weekend against Manchester City. A positive result for Arsenal would improve its hopes of a first Premier League title in 22 years.
