Arsenal Face Up To Sporting's Threat In UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Clash

 

Sporting CP were unable to overcome the odds against UEFA Champions League (UCL) favourites Arsenal in this quarter-final first leg on Tuesday. 

Sporting kept up their title pursuit in the Liga Portugal with a 4-2 victory on Sunday, which, however, looks ideal ahead of their preparation for their first UCL/European Cup quarter-final since 1982/83. With just one defeat in 16 competitive matches. Accidentally, Arsenal had a game plan up their sleeves, and Sporting fell short in the fixture.

The victory did not come easily for Arsenal either. Sporting made the first attempt at the goal before Martin Zubimendi's goal was ruled out for offside. eventually, Arsenal snapped the deadlock as Gabriel Martinelli's lob beat Sporting's centre-backs, and Kai Havertz reacted quickly to get a shot into the net. 

Meanwhile, solid home form has underpinned their recent success, with Sporting winning all five UCL games this season, the longest such run by a Portuguese side in this century, a run which supplements nine home wins in a row in all competitions before the loss here to the Gunners. 

Apparently, what could have been a quadruple for Arsenal has swiftly become a potential double after the Gunners were beaten by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, followed by their elimination from the FA Cup against Championship side Southampton on Saturday. Given their ‘favourable’ potential run to the final, the Gunners remain slender favourites to lift the UCL, but to even reach the last four, they’ll have to overcome the psychological obstacle of losing five of their last eight UCL quarter-final ties.