Arsenal Reach Champions League Semis

Mikel Arteta praised his team's defensive durability, particularly captain Declan Rice, who played through illness to help keep Sporting at bay.

While the individual performance was criticized as 'sluggish' by some observers, the aggregate win provides a massive psychological boost ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Arsenal's progression was marred by a knee injury to Noni Madueke, adding to Arteta's selection dilemmas during a critical title run-in.

The Gunners are now just two games away from their first-ever Champions League final appearance.