Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (1-0 agg): Gunners labour to draw to reach Champions League semi finals

Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (1-0 agg): Gunners labour to draw to reach Champions League semi finals

Arsenal progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a 0-0 draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Although the game may not have had any goals, it keeps Arsenal’s unbeaten record in the Champions League intact and now Arteta’s team will turn their attention back to the Premier League.

As it happened

The hosts began the fixture with a heap of early pressure to the Sporting defence, but thanks to Kai Havertz’s effort last week in Lisbon, there was no rush for Mikel Arteta’s side.

With the aggregate score only at one goal, the visitors still had plenty to play for and almost gained the advantage on the night when Francisco Trincão’s effort flashed past the post in the early exchanges.

Sporting began to gain some control in the fixture through their possession but failed to test David Raya – Pedro Gonçalves often looked to be the outlet in their attacking chances but missed the target on his attempt.

Fans in green and white were left stunned when Geny Catamo’s effort struck the woodwork and somehow didn’t secure the goal Sporting needed.

It was the visitors who had the better start after the interval and Maxi Araújo’s effort was inches away from sending the away end into bedlam with his curled effort.

Arsenal continued to progress forward for a second goal and Eberechi Eze’s powerful volley zipped over the crossbar moments later. However, one of the loudest cheers of the night was when youngster Max Dowman took off his warmup bib, before even entering the pitch, a player who is dearly loved by Arsenal.

Set-pieces didn’t look the likely route to goal for the Gooners in this fixture, with the Portuguese side defending their box in numbers at every opportunity.

Substitute Leandro Trossard’s guided header crashed against the post in the final moments of the fixture, with either side unable to find the net. However there was a real heart in mouth moment for the home fans prior to the final whistle, when João Simões’ effort struck the side-netting from outside the area.

The pressure doesn’t stop for the North London side, who face title-pushing Manchester City at The Etihad Stadium this Sunday. Meanwhile, Sporting host rivals Benfica at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.