Arsenal are prepared to sell Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the summer to raise funds to sign Atletico Madrid's 26-year-old Argentina striker Julian Alvarez. (Caughtoffside, external)
Como's Spanish defender Jacobo Ramon, 21, is attracting interest from a host of clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Alex Howell
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThis is a pivotal week in Arsenal's season and although they did not produce a sparkling performance, the fact that they are into the semi-finals of the Champions League will fill them with confidence.
The Gunners were under huge pressure coming into this game after the manner of their Premier League defeat against Bournemouth, and having also suffered three losses in their previous four matches in all competitions.
Mikel Arteta named a front three of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli and as has been the case on most occasions when the trio have played together, the Gunners' attack did not click.
Madueke was forced off with an injury in the second half and the Gunners boss will have to think of an alternative frontline if Arteta wants his Arsenal side to cause title rivals Manchester City problems on Sunday.
Arsenal are not in good form but can now focus on a top of that table clash with City, as they look to take the next step under Arteta and put themselves in a great position to secure the silverware everyone at the club craves so much.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, spoke to TNT Sports after his side secured a place in the Champions League semi-finals: "It's a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work. It's a great night. I'm very happy for all our people. We are making steps that haven't been done at this club for 140 years [back-to-back Champions League semi-finals]. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.
"I think the last 15-20 minutes we controlled the game really well. We set ourselves in the final third. We looked composed. We looked controlled in transitions except the last one. Overall, it's a great night. I'm happy for all our people."
On how he helps his side believe they can win: "It comes down to making the last step. We are making steps that haven't been done in this club for 140 years, the players deserve credit for what they're doing. What I love is the ownership the players took after the defeat here against Bournemouth. They sat together, they analysed it, they said things face-to-face. They act on it. At the end you have to do it on the pitch. We can talk in the dressing room. We can talk beautiful things but we need to put those words into actions and we certainly did that tonight."
On facing Atletico Madrid next: "I watched them yesterday. That stadium is special. Those are the moments we want to live together as a team right now, so enjoy tonight. Tomorrow we will start to prepare for the weekend and then we will think about that."
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, spoke to TNT Sports on how he's feeling: "Delighted. So, so happy. It was a really tough test over two games but to go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group and we now want to go one step further and make the final. We've played Atletico Madrid already this year and we know what to expect, so bring on these last couple of weeks."
On how frustrating the night was: "Frustrating? No, we just got to a semi-final, positivity all the way. Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group think, what the manager thinks and we're in another semi-final. I'm delighted.
"We'll keep going. Keep playing well. Keep getting over the line and bring it on. Bring on everything."
On the noise surrounding the team in the last few weeks: "Like being at any other top club, there's noise with everything. This is Arsenal football club, there's noise with every game. If you don't play well, if you don't play good, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving. Bring on the last few weeks. It's a roller coaster. Nobody's going to hand you anything in this game. Let's keep going and what will be will be. Let's keep going strong."
On whether they need to win against Manchester City on Sunday: "Of course, you have to win every game. We want to win every game in the Premier League. Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It's why we play the game. It's a game of football at the end of the day. [It's about] how much you want it, so I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let's go."
Did you know?
Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-final in back-to-back seasons – they had only made two previous semi-finals before this (2005-06 and 2008-09).
The combined expected goals tally of both sides in this match was 0.93 (0.64 Arsenal, 0.29 Sporting) – the lowest of any Champions League game in 2025-26, and lowest in any quarter-final match in the competition since Barcelona v Manchester United in April 2019 (0.68).
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Mikel Arteta has made three changes to the side that lost to Bournemouth at the weekend. Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie comes in.
There is no Bukayo Saka in the squad. Arsenal are also missing Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Martin Odegaard who are all unavailable with injury.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres
Subs: Setford, Arrizabalaga, White, Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Havertz, Dudziak, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon
Sporting XI: Rui Silva, Morita, Pedro Goncalves, Catamo, Francisco Trincao, Araujo, Goncalo Inacio, Diomande, Hjulmand, Eduardo Quaresma, Suarez
Subs: Joao Virginia, Debast, Geovany Quenda, Vagiannidis, Kochorashvili, Faye, Braganca, Simoes, Goncalves, Blopa, Nel, Mangas
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal "could do with a performance" on Wednesday against Sporting before travelling to Manchester City on Sunday as Mikel Arteta's side prepare for a "season-defining" five days, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.
The Gunners have lost three of their past four games in all competitions but have the opportunity to set up a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid when they host Portuguese side Sporting with a 1-0 first leg advantage.
"What Arsenal players must not do is look ahead to the game at the weekend against Manchester City," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"They have to concentrate on the game tonight, that's really important.
"They could do with a win of course, but they could do with a performance - especially in that final third. It all just seems a bit flat and clunky at this moment in time.
"If you're an Arsenal fan, you're nervy. It's been a great season up until now but these next two games in five days are season-defining for them.
"Tonight is a massive night for Arsenal. Can they hold their nerve? I think they will go through against a Sporting side who are capable, and then go on to Sunday.
"They mustn't look too far ahead and just try to get their attack clicking, score some goals and go into Sunday with a bit of a buzz.
"There were alarm bells ringing after the Bournemouth game but Bournemouth are a good team. Everybody thinks Manchester City are now the team to beat but the game on Sunday is absolutely enormous.
"It wouldn't be a great surprise to me if Arsenal went to the Etihad and got a result. I don't think Arsenal are as bad as what people are making out. They are more than capable, they are top of the league, they have been flying in the Champions League and they just need to hold their nerve.
"I think they will."
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds from 07:20
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal play Sporting on Wednesday with the aim of reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in successive seasons.
Mikel Arteta's side have a one-goal advantage after the first leg in Lisbon, in which goalkeeper David Raya made a string of impressive saves to deny the home side before Kai Havertz snatched a 1-0 victory late on.
Havertz's late winner means Arsenal have the best chance of reaching the final four at 91.6%, according to the Opta Supercomputer.
But some may not have that level of confidence after Arsenal's recent results.
Saturday's defeat by Bournemouth was their third in four games in all competitions and one Arteta described as "a big punch to the face" and a "painful day".
Arsenal cannot afford another knockout blow in the Champions League after FA Cup and Carabao Cup disappointment.
The Gunners have won 17 of their past 18 European two-legged ties when they have secured a first-leg away victory.
But the most recent time these two sides met at Emirates Stadium, it was the Portuguese team who came out on top. That was in March 2023 when Arsenal lost their Europa League last-16 tie to Sporting on penalties.
The visitors will be boosted by the return of captain and midfielder Morten Hjulmand who was suspended for the first leg, but Luis Guilherme and Fotis Ioannidis remain sidelined.
For Arsenal, Mikel Merino is unavailable, while Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are doubts.
With a colossal Premier League game at title rivals Manchester City looming, the Gunners have to stop the rot and that starts by securing a Champions League semi-final place.
Arsenal's only defeat across their past 23 European home games came against Paris St-Germain in last season's Champions League semi-final (0-1).
Mikel Arteta's side have kept a clean sheet in 16 of their past 22 European matches at Emirates Stadium, conceding just nine goals overall.
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has said Arsenal's league form "isn't as bad as it feels" after Saturday's home defeat by Bournemouth and the Premier League title is "still very much in their hands".
Despite the loss, Arsenal are six points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The two title contenders meet on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
"The idea of [Arsenal] 'bottling it' is based on the last few years and what the expectations were [in those seasons]," said Onuoha on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"This last run of games has been interesting from an Arsenal perspective because we are talking about [results] across three different competitions.
"They lost the League Cup final, lost in the FA Cup and now lost a league game. [Before Bournemouth] the last league loss was against Manchester United in January, so the momentum they have in the league itself it isn't as bad as it feels.
"The league is still very much in their hands and Mikel Arteta understands that, but for me, it is the nature of some of the performances and not necessarily the results. Even in some of their wins, it has been a bit uncertain.
"How the team feels is what matters. Do they feel good and like it is a blip? Or do they feel like something is happening and they are starting to doubt themselves?
"The moment a team has doubt themselves, that's when the opposition gain belief and play them in a different manner as a consequence.
"Arsenal's players are good enough to get through this spell and go to the Etihad on Sunday and get a positive result for themselves. But the difference is Manchester City aren't in the Champions League in midweek. Arsenal have got something to deal with before they can even look ahead to the next game, whereas City are planning for that game right now.
"That, I think, in some ways is an advantage [to City]."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
George Cummins
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, PA MediaThere is no doubt that some Arsenal supporters have felt some doom and gloom in recent days; the defeat by Bournemouth, Manchester City winning at Chelsea and then news on Tuesday morning that Declan Rice could miss Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting.
Arteta must have sensed that too as he gave one of the most passionate displays I have seen in one of his press conferences since his arrival in December 2019.
"Fire. I am on fire. That's it! Nothing else," the manager said. "I am so driven. I have done so much to be in this position because I know what this club is worth.
"Now there is zero fear. It's purpose, fire and conviction that we're going to do it."
They were passionate words that were echoed by midfielder Eberechi Eze, who added: "The boss speaks well, he is passionate, and you can see the fire he has in his eyes and mind, and that has been pushed throughout the whole club.
"Regardless of what people are saying outside, it is about us and what we do, and that is all that matters."
Arsenal can make back-to-back Champions League semi-finals for the first time in the club's history on Wednesday.
Then on Sunday they travel to Manchester City, where Arteta will be hoping he can reignite Arsenal's season after their recent struggles.
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting at Emirates (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Arteta was vague on team news, adding that "a few of the boys" will be assessed Wednesday morning to see if they can play.
Declan Rice, who did not train on Tuesday, is one of those but Arteta would not give details on the reason he is sidelined. He said: "He has played a lot of games, and that is part of the issue. He is going to try to do everything he possibly can to be with us tomorrow evening. That's for sure."
On Jurrien Timber or Bukayo Saka returning: "Maybe one of them, so let's see."
Saka had "an Achilles issue" which "was something he had been carrying for a while" before the League Cup final. Arteta added: "Hopefully, it's a matter of days and not weeks."
Arteta said Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth "was a big disappointment and a hard one to take." He added: "What we are trying to achieve is difficult, challenging, and bumpy at times. You have to confront it."
On his message to the supporters going to the second-leg tie: "No fear, pure fire. That's it. Pure fire is what I want to see from the players on the pitch. Go for it, because the opportunity is unbelievable."
He said he has "zero fear" for the remainder of the season because he is "so driven" to get the job done for the fans. He added: "It's purpose, fire, and conviction that we're going to do it."
He wants his players "to do better" in counter-attacks because they are not showing "that shift in momentum" which helps to change games and results.
On opponents Sporting: "I understand the quality they have and the ways they can hurt you. They are a really good side, and they proved that in the first leg. That is why we know tomorrow is going to be a really tough match."
Listen to live commentary of Arsenal vs Sporting on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Wednesday.
Got a question about Arsenal? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts
Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIn Mikel Arteta's press conference last week he asked fans to "have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner".
Arsenal had the opportunity to go 12 points clear at the top of the league before Manchester City played. They fluffed it. Badly.
I'm really intrigued by some of the coverage of what the atmosphere in the stadium was like during the game. For weeks there has been debate over the fanbase's nerves, with some even suggesting that these nerves are affecting the players. I didn't see a nervous stadium on Saturday, I saw a frustrated one.
After Bournemouth's opener, the crowd did rally. Within a few seconds the fans were loud in their support of Arsenal and willing the team to quickly find an equaliser. They did so when Viktor Gyokeres converted a penalty in the 36th minute.
But after that, the doom descended. And it wasn't because of nerves.
As a fan you make an unconditional commitment to support the team, vocally, through thick and thin. But that comes with the assumption that the team you are watching also plays their part.
At this point in the season I'm past the stage of expecting free-flowing football, or even convincing performances. The players are exhausted and it's unrealistic to expect this Arsenal team to suddenly discover form out of nowhere.
But I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a minimum technical standard from your team. There were times on Saturday that Arsenal looked like they couldn't string a pass together. This doesn't feel acceptable at any stage of the season, let alone now.
The boos at full-time for a team who were still nine, but are now only six, points clear might seem extreme, but they were a reflection of fear for the future.
As a fan I was desperate to see some green shoots of hope that Arsenal can get this over the line. On Saturday, no matter how hard I looked, there just weren't any.
Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes it is "make or break" time for Mikel Arteta as there is mounting pressure for him to win major silverware this season.
"I do think he has a problem if he doesn't get them over the line in the Premier League or Champions League," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "It will change the landscape in which the Arsenal fans view him because he has been there long enough.
"I don't think Arsenal have bottled it and if they do end up losing [the league] it is because Manchester City are a good side with quality.
"But the Arsenal fans will view it differently and if he doesn't have the support of the fans then a decision will need to be made, so I do think it is make or break for him.
"They have to win the Premier League or Champions League or he will be a gonner."
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFive of Arsenal's key players were missing from the open part of training before the Gunners quarter-final second-leg match against Sporting in the Champions League.
Arsenal have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg but have a number of injury issues in the squad.
Declan Rice, who played 90 minutes of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, was not seen in the first 15 minutes of the training session that was open to the media.
Captain Martin Odegaard missed the game as did Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori - all with injury issues.
This is a pivotal week for Arsenal in the season with the chance to reach the last four of the Champions League before a huge match against title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Newcastle's Lewis Hall, 21, but the Magpies will not let the left-back leave easily. (Caught Offside), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said Rooney.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.
He added that he thinks a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".
Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break".
He added: "Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer England captain Wayne Rooney says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," he said.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday to take advantage of Arsenal slipping up with a 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Rooney said that whoever wins Sunday's "title decider" in Manchester will be favourites to win the league.
He believes a draw will be a "good point" for Arsenal, who may need to "play dirty".
Rooney added Mikel Arteta's side must "be tough to break down, make sure there's no gaps between the lines and try to hit them on the break.
"Whether the fans like that type of football or not, they have to do anything to stop City winning. They need to be resilient enough to stop City from scoring."
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
