Arsenal hold a 1-0 lead over Sporting CP as the Portuguese side travel to North London for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal today. Atletico Madrid awaits the advancing side in the semifinal, having downed rival Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. Should the Gunners progress, it would be the first time in club history the side has made consecutive CL semifinals.
The first leg was a cagey affair. Neither side created many chances. Of the two sides, I’d say Sporting were more to “blame” for the low-event contest. They took a structured, cautious approach, making sure they maintained their defensive shape and forced Arsenal to be patient in the buildup rather than allowing the Gunners opportunities to attack an unsettled defense.
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Sporting did have their moments, though. They’re dangerous on the counter and even though they were more selective in choosing their moments to spring forward, they created a few good chances. Fortunately, David Raya was up to the task. The Arsenal keeper was brilliant — his top-class saves early in the first half and late in the second kept the match level.
Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz combined in the 91st minute for a well-worked match-winning goal, giving Arsenal that all-important first leg away win. Before last week, Sporting had been held scoreless once all season — away to Bodo/Glimt in the previous knockout round — and hadn’t been shutout at home in any competition. They had won 17-straight matches at the Jose Alvalade Stadium dating back to an early-October draw and hadn’t lost a match at home since August.
The Portuguese side have been far less impressive away this season. That doesn’t mean Arsenal can relax, however. As we’ve said all season, the Champions League is a difficult competition. Anybody can get ‘ya if you have an off night. The result at Sporting aside, the Gunners have been stumbling a bit lately. The side are tired and key players are either wholly unavailable or not at full fitness.
One thing to keep an eye on from the first to the second leg: Sporting fullback Maxi Araujo, who was a big part of their counterattacking plans, was whistled for 7 fouls in the match without being booked. It was the first time in nine Champions League seasons that a fullback had committed that many fouls without seeing yellow. I think there is a pretty good chance Araujo is refereed much more tightly. A booking for the Uruguayan would be an issue for Sporting because…
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