How Arsenal’s players rated in Sporting meeting as Zubimendi advances and Hincapie returns to form

Arsenal secured a Champions League semi-final spot with a goalless draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium, a result which saw them progress 1-0 on aggregate following a slender victory in Lisbon. The Gunners will now face Atlético Madrid in the last four, achieving a second consecutive Champions League semi-final appearance for the first time in the club’s history.

A professional job sees Arsenal through

Holding their first-leg advantage was the sole objective on a night of few clear-cut chances. The visitors, who had scored in their previous 30 home games, were frustrated by a disciplined Arsenal defence, with the frame of the goal denying both sides. Sporting’s Geny Catamo struck the post with a volley, while Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard did the same with a late header. Ultimately, a match of controlled tension suited Mikel Arteta’s side perfectly, setting up a semi-final clash with Diego Simeone’s Atlético, who recently eliminated Barcelona.

This progression marks a significant milestone for the project at the Emirates and comes during a pivotal period, with a Premier League title race showdown against Manchester City looming. The team’s defensive resolve, which kept Sporting at bay over two legs, will be heartening, even if the attacking play at times lacked its usual incision.

How the players rated on the night

David Raya (6) was dominant aerially when called upon late on, but his distribution was uncharacteristically shaky, including one terrible pass out that nearly gifted a chance to Pedro Goncalves.

In defence, Cristhian Mosquera (7) was impressive in tracking dangerous runs in behind. William Saliba (6) was less calm than usual, caught out physically at times and rushed in possession, while Gabriel (7) provided a solid, unspectacular presence to help secure another clean sheet.

The standout performer, however, was Piero Hincapie (8). The defender’s availability is crucial with Riccardo Calafiori absent, and he demonstrated why with a commanding display. He was very aggressive in one-on-one situations, getting the better of the lively Catamo early on, and was full of energy in attack, linking well with Gabriel Martinelli. His defensive contribution was quantified by a team-leading six tackles, underlining a performance of both defensive grit and attacking impetus.

In midfield, Martin Zubimendi (7) provided a much-improved display, particularly in the first half. The zip returned to his play as he drove forward and showed a noticeable effort to progress the ball through the lines. The €65 million signing from Real Sociedad, often described as a ‘hybrid pivot’ who excels in interceptions and knitting play together, faded after the break as his passing weight suffered with fatigue. Alongside him, Declan Rice (5) played deeper and looked off the pace, perhaps still feeling the effects of a knock, but he put in a good shift to see out the match.

Further forward, Arsenal’s attack often flattered to deceive. Noni Madueke (4) was wasteful, taking too many touches before firing a good chance into the side-netting before being forced off injured. Eberechi Eze (7) showed flashes of being the difference-maker with lovely incisive passes, but struggled to influence the game after the interval. Gabriel Martinelli (5) was quiet aside from one brilliant recovery run, while Viktor Gyokeres (3) was poor, slicing a good chance high and wide and failing to provide a reliable link in attack.

Substitutes make their case

The introductions from the bench offered some improvement. Kai Havertz (6), whose stoppage-time winner decided the first leg, provided a much greater presence up front than Gyokeres after coming on in the 56th minute. Max Dowman (6), on for the injured Madueke, was brave, continually running at defenders and taking on corner duties, from which he nearly created the winner for Trossard.

Gabriel Jesus (5) found good positions out wide after his 79th-minute introduction but could not find the final pass, and Leandro Trossard (6) was desperately unlucky not to score with his headed effort that struck the post.

The semi-final against Atlético Madrid presents a fascinating tactical battle. Arsenal have won their last seven Champions League games against Spanish opposition, including a 4-0 group-stage victory over Atlético this season. However, their overall record is mixed, having lost three of the last five meetings, including a 2018 Europa League semi-final defeat. Atlético, two-time finalists under Simeone and in their first semi-final since 2017, will pose a formidable challenge as Arsenal continue their pursuit of a historic double.