Two consecutive defeats, in the League Cup final then in the FA Cup, and a perilous trip to the Champions League against Sporting, unbeaten in 20 home games: we were going to learn more about the character of Arsenal, in this final stretch of the season. Viktor Gyökeres has already noticed that his former audience had not digested his departure, at the end of a long series last summer. Totally liberated, Rui Borges’ men had no inferiority complex, like central defender Diomandé, who released a fabulous opening with the outside of his foot to serve Pedro Gonçalves in depth. The latter sent a mine which hit the crossbar, slightly deflected by Raya (6th). In the process, Trincão sent a shot just above (8th).
The Portuguese therefore ideally began this quarter-final first leg, in an atmosphere of great evenings at the José Alvalade stadium. But Arsenal brought out their secret weapon: set pieces. First free kick, first situation. First corner, crossbar hit by Madueke (15th), holder on the right in the absence of Saka. Failing to be dominant, the Gunners appeared threatening. And put more and more foot on the ball throughout a first period that was ultimately not unforgettable. As too often in recent weeks, Arsenal struggled to create danger in the game, while Sporting lacked technical accuracy in their ball exits.
Havertz as evening hero
But the worst news arrived in the 33rd minute for the Lisbon side, with the yellow card for Luis Suarez, who will therefore be deprived of the return match. After the break, Sporting tried to loosen the grip and hurt each counter. To do this, we first had to survive the numerous set pieces sent into the box by Arsenal and always so essential. However, it was in the game that Mikel Arteta’s men thought they would open the score, through Zubimendi, but the video assistance did not allow Gyökeres to go offside, still in difficulty in the game this evening. Arteta launched Havertz in place of a sad Odegaard, to try to make the difference. However, the pace did not pick up in this meeting, not to the level of a Champions League quarter-final. And Sporting was not necessarily to blame.
Max Dowman, 16, and Gabriel Martinelli came into play to bring a little madness to the Gunners who were always serious and diligent, but desperately boring to watch evolve. Catamo tried his hand at shooting (78th) but didn’t hit the target, then he fell on a big Raya, after a header following a superb number from Luis Suarez on the right wing (83rd). Martinelli responded with a dry shot, captured, and the match got out of hand again in the final moments. Catamo once again came up against Raya (86th), ultimately the man of the match for Arsenal. But football can be cruel, and talent relentless: Martinelli accelerated on the left, refocused and sent a dived ball to Havertz, alone at the entrance to the area, who was responsible for converting the offering (0-1, 90+1′). Arsenal can rub their hands, here they are in an ideal position for the return leg, at home in a week.
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– UPDATE
