Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final after dispatching Sporting
Arsenal are into the Champions League semi-finals for the second successive season after a goalless draw with Sporting CP at the Emirates saw them advance 1-0 on aggregate, and the mood inside the dressing room afterwards could hardly have been more different from the anxiety that has crept into their Premier League campaign in recent weeks.
Gabriel Martinelli, Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta all spoke to TNT Sports after the final whistle, and the message from all three was the same: enjoy tonight, then go again on Sunday against Manchester City.
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals after Diego Simeone’s side beat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.
‘We Deserve That’
Martinelli was in buoyant mood as he reflected on a second consecutive last-four berth, the first time in Arsenal’s 140-year history they have achieved back-to-back Champions League semi-finals.
“Yeah, everyone is just buzzing in the dressing room,” the Brazilian told TNT Sports. “Two times in a row in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Everyone is happy. I think we deserve that. We’ve been playing well and we deserve that. Now, just enjoy tonight and we have a big one on Sunday as well.
“When we play in the Champions League it is always tough. There is not one single team that is not strong. We knew they would come to try to score. The way they play they are really good. We did well and we didn’t concede. We didn’t score as well but we take the draw and we are through.”
On facing Atletico in the last four, Martinelli was added “We played them in the group stage but this will be a completely different game. We have to earn the right, we have to do things right in the game as well. Let’s keep it up and try to win both games.
“When you play for Arsenal you have to know how to deal with the pressure. We really like the pressure as well. We play for Arsenal, we are used to it. It’s a semi-final and fighting for the Premier League. Let’s enjoy tonight and see on the weekend.”
Arteta: ‘Steps That Haven’t Been Done for 140 Years’
Arteta kept his post-match words brief. For a manager who has been under significant pressure after back-to-back Premier League defeats, the milestone offered a moment of genuine satisfaction.
“It’s a massive moment,” the Arsenal head coach said. “To be part of those four teams is great work. It’s a great night. I’m very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven’t been done at this club for 140 years – back-to-back Champions League semi-finals.”
Rice Refuses to Entertain Any Negativity
If there was one voice that captured the collective mindset of this Arsenal squad in the aftermath, it was Rice. The England midfielder has become one of the most vocal leaders in the dressing room since his move from West Ham, and he was in no mood to allow any sense of anti-climax creep into the occasion.
“Delighted. So, so happy,” he said. “It was a really tough test over two games but to go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group and we now want to go one step further and make the final. We’ve played Atletico Madrid already this season and we know what to expect, so bring on these last couple of weeks.”
When it was put to him that some might find the night frustrating given the lack of goals, Rice hit back. “Frustrating? No, we just got to a semi-final, positivity all the way. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks and we’re in another semi-final. I’m delighted.
“Like being at any other top club, there’s noise with everything. This is Arsenal football club, there’s noise with every game. If you don’t play well, if you don’t play good, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving. Bring on the last few weeks. It’s a rollercoaster. Nobody’s going to hand you anything in this game. Let’s keep going and what will be will be. Let’s keep going strong.”
With the Premier League title race set to resume at the Etihad on Sunday, Rice was asked if winning at Manchester City is now essential. He added: “Of course, you have to win every game. We want to win every game in the Premier League.
“Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It’s why we play the game. It’s a game of football at the end of the day. How much you want it, I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go.”
Arsenal’s Champions League semi-finals, against Atletico Madrid, are set to take place on April 28-29 and May 5-6. The final is in Budapest on May 30.
