{"id":6019,"date":"2026-04-08T08:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=6019"},"modified":"2026-04-08T08:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:24:21","slug":"mikel-arteta-praises-magic-arsenal-duo-after-win-over-sporting-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=6019","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta praises ‘magic’ Arsenal duo after win over Sporting | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\"Arsenal\t<\/div>
Arsenal hold a 1-0 lead over Sporting ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mikel Arteta heaped praise on \u2018finishers\u2019 Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz for coming on and conjuring up the \u2018magic\u2019 moment to steer Arsenal to victory over Sporting. <\/p>\n

The two teams had looked to be heading for a stalemate in Tuesday\u2019s Champions League quarter-final first leg, with Martin Zubimendi having a goal disallowed by VAR for offside in the second half. <\/p>\n

Not for the first time this season, David Raya was Arsenal\u2019s arguably standout player across the 90 minutes, producing three fine saves to keep the scoreline level at Lisbon\u2019s Jose Alvalade Stadium.<\/p>\n

But Arsenal rang the chances in the final 20 minutes in search of a winner and the visitors were rewarded for their endeavor as Martinelli and Havertz combined to make the breakthrough in stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Having already caused problems off the bench, Martinelli cut inside with purpose before dinking the ball through to Havertz, who took a brilliant touch, set himself and coolly finished past Rui Silva.<\/p>\n

The Gunners held firm to preserve their narrow advantage in the dying moments, ensuring they take a 1-0 lead back to the Emirates in a week\u2019s time. <\/p>\n

After a difficult period for Arsenal, which saw the club\u2019s ambitious quadruple \u2013 and treble \u2013 hopes go up in smoke, Arteta told Amazon Prime: \u2018Very happy to win away from home in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against a team that have not lost at home for I don\u2019t know how long.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Havertz broke the deadlock late on after coming off the bench (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Raya came away with the man-of-the-match award in Lisbon (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I think the last time was probably in Europe as well, that shows the difficulty of it. <\/p>\n

\u2018In the end, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game. Beautiful and that\u2019s the impact you need when you get to this stage of the season.<\/p>\n

\u2018Everybody has to make an impact and they certainly did that tonight.\u2019<\/p>\n

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After crediting Martinez and Havertz with changing the game off the bench, Arteta made sure to single out Raya on another \u2018phenomenal\u2019 and \u2018exceptional\u2019 performance between the sticks.<\/p>\n

\u2018He had two moments where he made two big saves,\u2019 the Arsenal boss said of his fellow countryman.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there\u2019s so much quality here. <\/p>\n

\u2018At the moment he\u2019s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Raya produced three top saves to ensure the Gunners came away with a clean sheet (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite securing the win, the Arsenal boss did not hide away from the fact that his side had struggled to find their rhythm in the final third.<\/p>\n

\u2018Yes, because when we got into the final third and we sat there we missed the final bit,\u2019 Arteta replied when asked if was concerned his side may fail to find the net.<\/p>\n

\u2018We had to be a little bit crisper, faster, more efficient to break them down when they had that block. <\/p>\n

\u2018We had a goal disallowed and there were two or three occasions where we were close but we lacked that final pass.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Sporting\t<\/div>
Martinelli made a real impact after replacing Trossard in the 76th minute (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his post-match interview with Amazon Prime, Havertz claimed \u201980 per cent\u2019 of his goal belonged to Martinelli for his incisive play and pinpoint assist in the build-up. <\/p>\n

\u2018I was there to finish it off,\u2019 the German forward, who came on in place of Martin Odegaard in the 70th minute, explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018I but it was a top assist from him, I saw him and he just played the perfect pass and it was a good goal.\u2019<\/p>\n

On Raya\u2019s showing, Havertz added: \u2018He\u2019s unbelievable.<\/p>\n

\u2018I still think people underestimate him in the football world, but for the last two years, I don\u2019t know, maybe he\u2019s been the best goalkeeper in the world and we\u2019re all glad to have him here.\u2019<\/p>\n

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