Arsenal Reach Back-to-back Champions League Semi-finals Under Arteta

Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second year running, edging Sporting CP 1-0 on aggregate after a tense goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. Attention now turns quickly to the Premier League, with a key title clash against Manchester City on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta highlighted the scale of the achievement, noting Arsenal had only twice reached this stage of the European Cup or Champions League before, in 2005-06 and 2008-09. Arsenal are now back among Europe’s last four in consecutive seasons for the first time.

Those efforts set up a semi-final with Atletico Madrid, who Arsenal defeated 4-0 in the league phase at the Emirates in October. Diego Simeone’s side advanced by overcoming Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate, setting the stage for another intense tactical battle across two legs.

Arteta underlined what this campaign means for the club’s long-term progress. "It's a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work," the Arsenal boss told TNT Sports. "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."

Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time winner in last week’s first leg in Lisbon proved the decisive moment in the quarter-final. Arsenal controlled much of the second leg without offering sustained attacking threat, and created only one shot on target, while Leandro Trossard struck the post late on.

The overall contest with Sporting was tight and cautious. At 1-0 on aggregate, Arsenal versus Sporting became the joint-lowest scoring two-legged Champions League quarter-final and the lowest since Manchester City’s 1-0 aggregate victory over Atletico in the 2021-22 season.

Arsenal Champions League run, statistics and recent form

The second leg at the Emirates produced a combined expected goals figure of just 0.93, with 0.64 xG for Arsenal and 0.29 for Sporting. It was the lowest xG total in any Champions League game this season, and the lowest for a quarter-final since Barcelona versus Manchester United in April 2019, which recorded 0.68.

This narrow win arrived after a difficult domestic spell. Arsenal had recently lost to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, exited the FA Cup in the quarter-finals against Southampton, and suffered a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, prompting questions about momentum.

Asked if the result brought relief after that run, Arteta responded strongly. "I wish that we were doing the Arsenal documentary this season, and you could watch the last 48 hours." The comment suggested tense preparation before a match where little separated the sides.

Arteta acknowledged that Arsenal could have done more in front of goal across the tie. "I think we had many opportunities, we didn't score the goal," Arteta added. "To do the things that are needed in the tie, to go and win titles, that is what will define these moments."

Another attritional contest appears likely in the semi-final, given Simeone’s approach and Arsenal’s controlled display against Sporting. Arteta, though, is looking forward to the spectacle. "We will have two magical nights, one in Madrid and one here," Arteta said later in his post-match press conference, as Arsenal prepare for another major European test.