Sporting vs Arsenal Preview: UCL Quarter-Final, Gunners Look to Bounce Back After Cup Losses?

 Arsenal Reality Check : UCL Quarter-Final in Lisbon & Time to Respond.

A happy Easter Celebration to all our gooners celebrating the season. Its going to be a reflective one here.  Football is back from the boring international break and most would say thank God it is back, at least club football that is. For us Arsenal fans, it’s been even more harrowing with back-to-back losses in two competitions, kissing any Quad fantasies goodbye. I hate to be the one to say I told you so, so I won’t say that, but I did warn the fan base. Feet on the ground, don’t get sucked into the hype, stay focused and all that… easier said than done.

Reflections:

I remember back in 2006 when Arsenal played in its first UCL final, but the real lesson was in 2004 when the Invincibles should have been favourites to win it ahead of Jose Mouriho's all conquering Porto. All we needed to do was get past a Ranieri-led Chelsea in the last eight but...Wayne Bridge ended that dream. We then crashed out of the FA Cup following that exit even though Arsenal marched on to win the #EPL unbeaten. Is history repeating itself or is it rhyming? The daggers and taunts from rival fans plus the media are out again. Arsenal bottling it, they say. Are they? A season that looked like it was written in the stars is suddenly raising questions about our mettle. Rightfully or not, the criticism isn’t going anywhere until Arsenal wins a major trophy, #EPL, #UCL or even the #FA Cup.

#UCL Image Credit: Arsenal.com

With just the EPL & UCL to save the season, Mikel and the boys are staring down the barrel right now. After spending well in the summer, it would be a travesty to end the season without at least one of those trophies. I know some will still complain even if we win one, but I’d disregard the rage-bait narratives from the media chasing clicks and engagement. Obi Mikel, I see you. The players have to turn the pain of that defeat to City in the League Cup into fuel. The manner of those losses in the last two cup exits must be reflected on as lessons, not something to dwell on like weak minds would. If I were Arteta, I’d be showing them the tapes, telling them to relive that pain and then go out and respond in the next game, and the next, and the next.

That has to be the mission now.

I know this is a bit of a reflective piece, but it’s time for the boys to man up and show they’ve learnt from finishing second three times in a row.

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Champions League Preview: Sporting vs Arsenal

Enough of the sober reflection. There’s still plenty to play for in the #EPL & in the #UCL. Our next opponent Sporting pulled off a proper Houdini act against Bodo Glimt, overturning a 0–3 deficit from their first leg defeat in Norway. That alone tells you everything. This is not a team you take lightly.

Luis Suarez has stepped in after Victor Gyökeres left, and they look organised, dangerous and full of belief. It’s shaping up to be one of those proper European nights, almost like a grudge match. Yeah I know we spanked then 1-5 last season but .Arsenal will need to be wary of falling to yet another upset.

Now it’s Lisbon.

There isn’t much to overcomplicate here. The lads just need to get back to winning ways. That’s it. The losses to City and Southampton need to be parked, not forgotten, but parked. A strong performance and a win is the best response. Gyökeres returns to his old stomping ground, no hero’s welcome expected. This is business. A rested midfield pivot of Rice and Zubi should give us control. With Saka out, it’s Madueke or Max on the right. Martinelli hasn’t been at it recently, this is the time to rediscover that cup form. Questions remain over Ben White’s fitness for consistent minutes, but if Timber is out and Big Gabby isn’t fit, then we don’t really have a choice.

#SpoVsArs

The performance has to be disciplined and professional. Stay compact. Give Sporting nothing. Then take the chances when they come. Simple! On that note, we say that's it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ. it is time for a response from the lads and Mikel. Do Enjoy the game wherever you are....#COYG