Mikel Arteta reveals 'face-to-face' player talks after Bournemouth defeat that drove push to break '140 years' of history

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Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal players' resolve after responding to defeat against Bournemouth by progressing to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals - but warned that significant improvement is needed.

Highlights: Arsenal set Atleti semi-final date with tense Sporting draw

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The Gunners were unconvincing as they laboured to a 0-0 draw against Sporting CP on Wednesday night, which was enough to secure a 1-0 aggregate win thanks to Kai Havertz's stoppage-time goal in Lisbon last week.

It was an anxious Emirates Stadium for much of the 90 minutes, with the visitors hitting the post on the stroke of half-time through Geny Catamo, while substitute Joao Simoes dragged a shot right at the death into the side-netting.

In between, there was a penalty appeal for Sporting turned down by referee Francois Letexier, with Maxi Araujo believing Cristhian Mosquera had two hands on his back as he threw himself at converting Catamo's deflected cross at the far post.

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Arsenal survived the scare to progress to a second successive UEFA Champions League semi-final, where they will face Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid - but Arteta accepts his side must rediscover their verve if they are to progress to the final in Budapest.

The Arsenal boss told TNT Sports: "It was always going to be [a difficult game]. We had moments in the first half where we probably should have scored.

"There are moments with the ball where we have to improve a lot, to have more control, dominance, and finish much more actions. Our behaviours, attributes, efforts - the team was outstanding and that's what takes you through.

'If this had been Bayern, PSG or Real Madrid, Arsenal would be out' - Cole

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"It's a massive moment. It's the first time in our history, 140 years, we are in back-to-back [Champions League] semi-finals.

"To be part of those four teams is very special. You have to earn it. A lot of work. Big gratitude to the players.

"In the last 15, 20 minutes, we controlled the game really well. We controlled the transitions very good. It's a great night. I'm very happy for all of our people.

"It comes down to making the last step. We are making steps that haven't been done for 140 years so the players deserve credit.

'Something special' to reach another semi-final but 'we have to improve a lot' - Arteta

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"What I love is the ownership the players took after the defeat here against Bournemouth. They said things face-to-face and they acted on it. In the dressing room you can say beautiful things, but you need to act on it."

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City head coach, said he wished his side were in European action this week ahead of the mouth-watering Premier League title showdown at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

But he will have delighted in Arsenal being put through the wringer, by opponents who have done so well to even reach the quarter-finals.

Noni Madueke was forced off in the second half because of a clash of knees which allowed Max Dowman to put forward his case for inclusion from the off this coming weekend.

Maximiliano Araujo is challenged by Cristhian Mosquera in the area

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Joe Cole was again impressed by the 16-year-old's cameo against Sporting, introduced at a time when Arsenal were in need of managing a tense situation.

"If this would've been a Bayern Munich, a Paris Saint-Germain or a Real Madrid tonight, Arsenal would be out," Cole told TNT Sports. "They were not at their best, but they beat what was in front of them, and the double is still on.

"This isn't the Arsenal team of two months ago, when it was all bells and whistles, and they were flying.

"This is a team low on confidence. Sporting put it on them a little bit, but I thought Arsenal managed the game and they grew into it. Kai Havertz came on and gave them that little bit of experience and Max Dowman gave them that little bit of control in the midfield.

Dowman 'clearly special' and 'could start' for Arsenal in crunch Man City clash - Cole

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"When Arsenal go to Man City at the weekend and they get the ball, they have to find the No. 10 - whether that's [Eberechi] Eze, or whether he plays Havertz in that position.

"If they don't progress the ball into that player, the pressure will keep coming and coming, and you'll get turned over. It's a massive call if they go with Dowman, but this kid is special."

Rice: Who cares what people think?

Arsenal ended with 15 attempts but only one on target against a Sporting side that eventually ran out of ideas.

As Ally McCoist said on co-commentary for TNT Sports, not many will be reaching for the highlights reel - but all that matters is that Arsenal progressed.

Arteta was booked for dissent, while Madueke's injury added to the concerns over Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, who were both missing from the matchday squad. But those concerns can wait for another day.

'No frustration, positivity all the way' - Rice hails 'amazing achievement' as Arsenal reach semis

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Declan Rice, who played despite missing training on Tuesday, refused to be drawn into any notion that this was a frustrating night for him and his team-mates.

"I'm delighted. I'm so, so happy," he told TNT Sports. "We now want to go one step forward compared to last season and get to the final. Frustrating? No... we've just got to another semi-final. Who cares what people think? No frustration, positivity all the way.

"Of course, you want to be able to score goals, but most teams that come here, we play against 5-4-1 every time. The space ain’t there and that’s the actual truth.

"It’s up to us to break it down but we’re playing against top players, every week. Bring on the last few weeks. It’s a rollercoaster.

"No one’s going to hand you anything in this game. Our record this year’s been amazing, all competitions. We’ll be ready for [Sunday], ready to go, and how much do you want it? I know I’ll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let’s go."

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