Mikel Arteta may have breathed a sigh of relief after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, but critics remain unconvinced.
Despite getting back to victory thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Kai Havertz and a decisive save from goalkeeper David Raya, the Gunners have been given a stern warning. They simply don’t operate at the same elite level as European powerhouses Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Former Chelsea midfielder and ESPN pundit Craig Burley made this sober assessment.
Burley admitted Arsenal are now overwhelming favorites to advance to the semi-finals, where they will face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, but insisted that surviving the “softer” side of the draw masks fundamental shortcomings.
Arsenal received a warning despite winning against Sporting
“When it comes to consequences, you obviously accept it.” Burley said on ESPN, as reported by Metro.
“Sporting are one of the weakest teams left, if not the weakest team, but Arsenal were not a great team and we know that.
“If disaster doesn’t happen at home, I think they will go home and dry after that result. “No matter who the opponent is, we can take a 1-0 lead and take it home next week in the Champions League quarter-finals. We will win it.
“However, even if they get through to the semi-finals against Sporting, they will have to improve and if they do not improve… I mean, did you watch the other game tonight, Real Madrid vs. Bayern?”
“Everyone is talking about the depth of Arsenal’s team at the moment and they will probably win the Premier League, but they need to play better.
“The level that Bayern and Real Madrid have reached today, and we know that they both can be better, but I don’t think Arsenal…We really need to flip the switch again to get to that level.”
“Is anyone surprised that Arsenal won 1-0 away against one of the weakest teams? That’s all I’m saying.
“Overall, they’ve got to find that extra gear that they had at the beginning of the season, or they’re not going to win this competition.” I’m not saying that negatively, that’s the reality. ”
Is Varley justified in his criticism of Mikel Arteta’s side?
Burley’s criticism carries weight given Arsenal’s recent domestic instability.
Prior to their hard-fought victory in Portugal, the North Londoners suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, followed by a shock defeat to Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, on a painful losing streak.
These stumbles temporarily shattered Arsenal’s aura of invincibility and raised the usual questions about their mental fortitude during a high-stakes spring training period.
Arteta himself admitted his side had “a point to prove” against Sporting, praising their tenacity to pull off an ugly win against a side who were unbeaten in 23 league games.
But breaking through a stubborn defensive block in Lisbon is a much different challenge than going head-to-head against the likes of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.
The coming weeks will be a bigger test for Arsenal and Arteta, but so far they are unbeaten in this season’s Champions League, the only team to boast such a record.
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