Arsenal

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal play Sporting on Wednesday with the aim of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in successive seasons.

Mikel Arteta's side have a one-goal advantage after the first leg in Lisbon, in which goalkeeper David Raya made a string of impressive saves to deny the home side before Kai Havertz snatched a 1-0 victory late on.

Havertz's late winner means Arsenal have the best chance of reaching the final four at 91.6%, according to the Opta Supercomputer.

But some may not have that level of confidence after Arsenal's recent results.

Saturday's defeat by Bournemouth was their third in four games in all competitions and one Arteta described as "a big punch to the face" and a "painful day".

Arsenal cannot afford another knockout blow in the Champions League after FA Cup and Carabao Cup disappointment.

The Gunners have won 17 of their past 18 European two-legged ties when they have secured a first-leg away victory.

But the most recent time these two sides met at Emirates Stadium, it was the Portuguese team who came out on top. That was in March 2023 when Arsenal lost their Europa League last-16 tie to Sporting on penalties.

The visitors will be boosted by the return of captain and midfielder Morten Hjulmand who was suspended for the first leg, but Luis Guilherme and Fotis Ioannidis remain sidelined.

For Arsenal, Mikel Merino is unavailable, while Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are doubts.

With a colossal Premier League game at title rivals Manchester City looming, the Gunners have to stop the rot and that starts by securing a Champions League semi-final place.

Did you know?

• Arsenal's only defeat across their past 23 European home games came against Paris St-Germain in last season's Champions League semi-final (0-1).

• Mikel Arteta's side have kept a clean sheet in 16 of their past 22 European matches at Emirates Stadium, conceding just nine goals overall.

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has said Arsenal's league form "isn't as bad as it feels" after Saturday's home defeat by Bournemouth and the Premier League title is "still very much in their hands".

Despite the loss, Arsenal are six points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The two title contenders meet on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

"The idea of [Arsenal] 'bottling it' is based on the last few years and what the expectations were [in those seasons]," said Onuoha on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"This last run of games has been interesting from an Arsenal perspective because we are talking about [results] across three different competitions.

"They lost the League Cup final, lost in the FA Cup and now lost a league game. [Before Bournemouth] the last league loss was against Manchester United in January, so the momentum they have in the league itself it isn't as bad as it feels.

"The league is still very much in their hands and Mikel Arteta understands that, but for me, it is the nature of some of the performances and not necessarily the results. Even in some of their wins, it has been a bit uncertain.

"How the team feels is what matters. Do they feel good and like it is a blip? Or do they feel like something is happening and they are starting to doubt themselves?

"The moment a team has doubt themselves, that's when the opposition gain belief and play them in a different manner as a consequence.

"Arsenal's players are good enough to get through this spell and go to the Etihad on Sunday and get a positive result for themselves. But the difference is Manchester City aren't in the Champions League in midweek. Arsenal have got something to deal with before they can even look ahead to the next game, whereas City are planning for that game right now.

"That, I think, in some ways is an advantage [to City]."

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George Cummins
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

There is no doubt that some Arsenal supporters have felt some doom and gloom in recent days; the defeat by Bournemouth, Manchester City winning at Chelsea and then news on Tuesday morning that Declan Rice could miss Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting.

Arteta must have sensed that too as he gave one of the most passionate displays I have seen in one of his press conferences since his arrival in December 2019.

"Fire. I am on fire. That's it! Nothing else," the manager said. "I am so driven. I have done so much to be in this position because I know what this club is worth.

"Now there is zero fear. It's purpose, fire and conviction that we're going to do it."

They were passionate words that were echoed by midfielder Eberechi Eze, who added: "The boss speaks well, he is passionate, and you can see the fire he has in his eyes and mind, and that has been pushed throughout the whole club.

"Regardless of what people are saying outside, it is about us and what we do, and that is all that matters."

Arsenal can make back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club's history on Wednesday.

Then on Sunday they travel to Manchester City, where Arteta will be hoping he can reignite Arsenal's season after their recent struggles.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting at Emirates (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta was vague on team news, adding that "a few of the boys" will be assessed Wednesday morning to see if they can play.

• Declan Rice, who did not train on Tuesday, is one of those but Arteta would not give details on the reason he is sidelined. He said: "He has played a lot of games, and that is part of the issue. He is going to try to do everything he possibly can to be with us tomorrow evening. That's for sure."

• On Jurrien Timber or Bukayo Saka returning: "Maybe one of them, so let's see."

• Saka had "an Achilles issue" which "was something he had been carrying for a while" before the League Cup final. Arteta added: "Hopefully, it's a matter of days and not weeks."

• Arteta said Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth "was a big disappointment and a hard one to take." He added: "What we are trying to achieve is difficult, challenging, and bumpy at times. You have to confront it."

• On his message to the supporters going to the second-leg tie: "No fear, pure fire. That's it. Pure fire is what I want to see from the players on the pitch. Go for it, because the opportunity is unbelievable."

• He said he has "zero fear" for the remainder of the season because he is "so driven" to get the job done for the fans. He added: "It's purpose, fire, and conviction that we're going to do it."

• He wants his players "to do better" in counter-attacks because they are not showing "that shift in momentum" which helps to change games and results.

• On opponents Sporting: "I understand the quality they have and the ways they can hurt you. They are a really good side, and they proved that in the first leg. That is why we know tomorrow is going to be a really tough match."

Listen to live commentary of Arsenal vs Sporting on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Wednesday.

Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

In Mikel Arteta's press conference last week he asked fans to "have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner".

Arsenal had the opportunity to go 12 points clear at the top of the league before Manchester City played. They fluffed it. Badly.

I'm really intrigued by some of the coverage of what the atmosphere in the stadium was like during the game. For weeks there has been debate over the fanbase's nerves, with some even suggesting that these nerves are affecting the players. I didn't see a nervous stadium on Saturday, I saw a frustrated one.

After Bournemouth's opener, the crowd did rally. Within a few seconds the fans were loud in their support of Arsenal and willing the team to quickly find an equaliser. They did so when Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty in the 36th minute.

But after that, the doom descended. And it wasn't because of nerves.

As a fan you make an unconditional commitment to support the team, vocally, through thick and thin. But that comes with the assumption that the team you are watching also plays their part.

At this point in the season I'm past the stage of expecting free-flowing football, or even convincing performances. The players are exhausted and it's unrealistic to expect this Arsenal team to suddenly discover form out of nowhere.

But I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a minimum technical standard from your team. There were times on Saturday that Arsenal looked like they couldn't string a pass together. This doesn't feel acceptable at any stage of the season, let alone now.

The boos at full-time for a team who were still nine, but are now only six, points clear might seem extreme, but they were a reflection of fear for the future.

As a fan I was desperate to see some green shoots of hope that Arsenal can get this over the line. On Saturday, no matter how hard I looked, there just weren't any.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes it is "make or break" time for Mikel Arteta as there is mounting pressure for him to win major silverware this season.

"I do think he has a problem if he doesn't get them over the line in the Premier League or Champions League," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "It will change the landscape in which the Arsenal fans view him because he has been there long enough.

"I don't think Arsenal have bottled it and if they do end up losing [the league] it is because Manchester City are a good side with quality.

"But the Arsenal fans will view it differently and if he doesn't have the support of the fans then a decision will need to be made, so I do think it is make or break for him.

"They have to win the Premier League or Champions League or he will be a gonner."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Five of Arsenal's key players were missing from the open part of training before the Gunners quarter-final second-leg match against Sporting in the Champions League.

Arsenal have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg but have a number of injury issues in the squad.

Declan Rice, who played 90 minutes of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, was not seen in the first 15 minutes of the training session that was open to the media.

Captain Martin Odegaard missed the game as did Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori - all with injury issues.

This is a pivotal week for Arsenal in the season with the chance to reach the last four of the Champions League before a huge match against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Newcastle's Lewis Hall, 21, but the Magpies will not let the left-back leave easily. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".

"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said Rooney.

"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."

Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.

Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.

He added that he thinks a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".

Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".

He added: "Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".

"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," he said.

"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."

Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.

Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.

He believes a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".

Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break.

"Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

David: I'm afraid this is the norm from Arsenal. They never fail to disappoint and frustrate. I can't understand how a team can go from brilliant to pathetic in such a short time. I'm a lifelong Arsenal fan and I guess should be used to this by now.

Steve: Sadly, I feel it'll be another trophyless season for Arsenal. Our team don't look confident and look devoid of ideas. We've lost that cutting edge and even our set pieces seem fruitless now.

Mike: I'm a lifelong Arsenal fan. Yes we have injuries, but that is no excuse. The players out on the pitch are good enough to win any game. Now playing with so much fear we seem to have forgotten what got us to the top in the first place! Start playing like you want to win the game rather than playing like you are afraid to lose.

John: I was at the game. It was a tactical nightmare for Arteta. No balls through the middle and the wide men in space were left hopelessly waiting. Worrying times. But, there's still hope. We have the squad, but it all falls back on how Arteta can react. I'm not convinced.

Toby: Once again, capitulation, across the board. Being an Arsenal fan is to know heartbreak.

Bournemouth fans

Simon: Very strong performance, great to see Cherries playing after so long it seems and getting more than one point. Deserved win because the press was so dominant and effective. Tactically Arteta was outplayed by Iraola. Unbeaten run is incredible and furthered again. UP THE CHERRIES.

Bob: A three week break towards the end of season is a real bonus. Tough matches against top teams is a real drain on physical strength with a tired Arsenal performance against a fresh Cherries. Can we make it 13 unbeaten?

Nigel: This was no fluke, no hit and run. We were the better team and looked more dangerous going forward. Alex Scott was immense - again! Proud to be a Cherry!

Malcolm: What a solid team performance from the Cherries. A suberb winner from Alex Scott after some lovely play from David Brooks. Obviously the talk will be about how poor Arsenal were, but the truth is they didn't have the same passion and energy as a Bournemouth team on a 12-game unbeaten run. Proud to be a Cherries fan.

Sara Jane: Bournemouth were brilliant. Just praying our manager will stay.

Image source, Getty Images

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes that if Arsenal do not win a trophy this season, it would go down as one of the "biggest implosions" and it would have to bring an end to Mikel Arteta's time as manager.

Arsenal have been heavy favourites to win the Premier League for months, but a chastening defeat at home to Bournemouth has ramped up the pressure. The Gunners were also in a strong position to win an unprecedented quadruple before losing the League Cup final against Manchester City and being knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by Championship side Southampton.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, Edwards said: "It's still in their hands. That's what they've got to think, it's still in their hands. They have been the best team for the majority of the season, and they are just struggling under that burden of history more than anything.

"I keep saying this, but there are a lot of people out there who want them to fail and maybe that's crept into them. They're tightening up, aren't they? That's what it looked like against Bournemouth.

"Arsenal should still believe. They're not going to get a better chance to win the Premier League than they're in now.

"It will go down as one of the biggest implosions, most spectacular implosions of a season if they don't do it now, and then they don't win the Champions League.

"If they end the season trophyless now, then that has got to be the end of Mikel Arteta. I don't even think that's outlandish to say."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium means Mikel Arteta's side have picked up just 70 points from 32 games this season.

The last Premier League champion to have as few points with six games left to play was Leicester City on 69 points in 2015-16.

Only three teams in the last 22 seasons have had as few points at this stage of the season and went on to win the title - Manchester United in 2010-11 (69 points), Manchester City in 2013-14 (70 points) and Leicester City in 2015-16 (69 points).

The average points tally of an eventual champion after 32 games played, in a 38-game season, is 74 points.

Therefore, the Gunners are four points off the pace after Saturday's loss to the Cherries. However, they still have more points at this stage than they did when they won top-flight titles in 1997-98 (66 points) and 2001-02 (69 points).

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Top of the league and in charge of the title race, only to fade away and be pipped at the post? Arsenal have been there before.

But nine points clear after 32 games played and still failing to win the league? No team in Premier League history has capitulated to that extent.

Could Mikel Arteta's side really be the first to throw it away from that position?

After back-to-back draws for nearest rivals Manchester City, along with a four-game winning streak for the Gunners, many were beginning to assume Arsenal's 22-year wait for the Premier League title was finally set to end.

Saturday's chastening 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth, however, has once again left the door ajar for Pep Guardiola's side - who have two games in hand on the Gunners.

Arteta described Arsenal's first league defeat since January as "a big punch to the face" and a "painful day".

"That's what I said to the boys and now it's about how we react," he added.

React they must. Their next league game is at Eithad Stadium next Sunday and it could go a long way to deciding the title.

Arsenal might be without a number of key players through injury though, but it does look like striker Viktor Gyokeres is finding form at the right time.

After his heroics for Sweden in their World Cup play-offs, he is full of confidence - 11 of his 18 goals for Arsenal in all competitions have come since the turn of the year.

He is also the club's top goalscorer, with his penalty against Bournemouth being his 12th of the Premier League season.

Momentum may be against them at the moment but, if they can regroup and start to put together a run of results, the Gunners can still be celebrating with a trophy at the end of May.

Read Alex Howell's full article here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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Commentator Lee Blakeman, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Emirates: "The Sporting win counted for nothing. You would've thought that playing at the Emirates given what has happened, that game aside, in the last few weeks would give Arsenal the boost that they needed.

"The extra atmosphere that Mikel Arteta called for arrived pre-match, but on the pitch Arsenal were consistently second best.

"Despite making all five substitutions at his disposal, Mikel Arteta and his players had no idea how to break through a Bournemouth side who without the ball were absolutely spot on."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, speaking on TNT Sports: "Now people have to stand up. Personalities have to come forward. Leaders need to emerge.

"It's still in your hands because you play Manchester City in the Premier League.

"You do have a Champions League game midweek though, and you need to make sure that the wheels do not come off."

Former Spurs midfielder Andy Reid on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It absolutely leaves the title race wide open.

"The concerning thing for Arsenal will be the lack of creativity, the lack of guile, the desire to get into the right areas.

"Also a lack of game understanding today, trying to play through the press when sometimes you have to go around or over it, they did neither. Too many sideways passes and they paid the price for it."