{"id":315381,"date":"2026-04-08T15:28:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=315381"},"modified":"2026-04-08T15:28:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:58:44","slug":"mikel-arteta-praises-magic-arsenal-duo-after-win-over-sporting-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/08\/mikel-arteta-praises-magic-arsenal-duo-after-win-over-sporting-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta praises ‘magic’ Arsenal duo after win over Sporting | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

But Arsenal rang the probabilities in the ultimate 20 minutes in the hunt for a winner and the visitors were rewarded for his or her 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 superb touch, set himself and coolly finished past Rui Silva.<\/p>\n

The Gunners held firm to preserve their narrow advantage within the dying moments, ensuring they take a 1-0 lead back to the Emirates in per 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 completely happy to win away from home within the quarter-finals of the Champions League against a team which have not lost at home for I don\u2019t know the way long.<\/p>\n

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

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

\u2018Ultimately, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the sport. Beautiful and that\u2019s the impact you would like if you get to this stage of the season.<\/p>\n

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

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After crediting Martinez and Havertz with changing the sport off the bench, Arteta made sure to single out Raya on one other \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 all the time decided within the boxes and since there\u2019s a lot quality here. <\/p>\n

\u2018In the meanwhile he\u2019s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We’re very lucky to have him.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Raya produced three top saves to make sure the Gunners got here away with a clean sheet (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite securing the win, the Arsenal boss didn’t hide away from the indisputable fact that his side had struggled to seek out their rhythm in the ultimate third.<\/p>\n

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

\u2018We needed to be a bit of bit crisper, faster, more efficient to interrupt them down after they had that block. <\/p>\n

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

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Martinelli made an actual impact after replacing Trossard within 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 within the build-up. <\/p>\n

\u2018I used to be there to complete it off,\u2019 the German forward, who got here on instead of Martin Odegaard within the seventieth minute, explained.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Jamie Carragher makes worrying Arsenal title claim after Champions League win<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Mikel Arteta told Arsenal are \u2018not at the extent\u2019 of two Champions League rivals<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/use><\/svg>MORE: Darren Bent tells Mikel Arteta to drop Arsenal star: \u2018I don\u2019t need to see him again this season\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

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